Les feux de l'été

I had always claimed, that Don Johnson was not for me. He was not even a good actor. So I was persuaded to watch this film, and I was so facinated. I could not get it out of my head after I saw it. It was brilliant, and Don Johnson played really well. The story was also good. I even wrote to our local TV station, to get them to show it again, but in vain. Please let it come out on DVD so I can buy it.

This is not as good as the original, but the storyline has been changed some so that helps. This is an excellent movie for Don Johnson fans. He has the cocky attitude, with a deep sensitiveness underneath that fits the character, as Paul Newman did. Only when he parrots the same dialogue does he seem out of place. Judith Ivey is lovely as she is allowed to wear her hair down instead of in a severe bun. Jason Robards tries his best, but in spite of being an excellent actor, he doesn't have the bombastic spirit that made Orson Welles so right for the role. The clothes are modern as most fashion borrows from many years. Accents don't bother me. (How about Germans speaking broken English in war movies?) I liked it better the second time I watched it, so try it twice if you are uncertain. It's worth it; and watch the actors' faces throughout as they do their best with roles that were strongly created in the first movie.

I liked this version better than the movie version with Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Lee Remick, Anthony Franciosa and Orson Welles. Jason Robards version of Will Varner was more subtle than Welles in his facial expressions. Robards was the actor's actor. What a brilliant portrayal of Will Varner. Excellent performances from the leads, and I was particularly impressed by William Russ' portrayal of Jody Varner. Judith Ivey was excellent as the daughter of Will Varner that Ben Quick tries to seduce. Cybill Shepherd was very good as Eula, using her beauty and sexuality to entice every man she can. Ava Gardner had a small role. A beautiful older woman and paramour of Will Varner. Just looking at her you are reminded that not one actress in Hollywood back in Gardner's time could hold a candle to her beauty. Rent the 1951 version of Showboat if you want to drool over Ava Gardner. In the closing scene of that movie, when she brings her fingers to her lips to gently blow a kiss toward the Cotton Blossom, I tear up every time. Don Johnson made an excellent Ben Quick. His lean, toned body is shown off several times throughout the movie in various levels of undress. The scene where he and Noel finally do it is really hot. He met the challenge of this role. The young man who played Miss Minnie's helper was extremely talented. Kudos to all the supporting actors. If you haven't seen this, go do so right now.

Flawed it may be, but I love this version of the original film. From the opening credits the director uses evocative blues and magnificent ante-bellum mansions to convey the decadent lifestyle, revealing to viewers a privileged, class-driven world. Don Johnson's casting and acting is effective, and it was pleasing to see him trying to extend his range. I particularly like films which show an actor trying to break out of a previous genre or character mould e.g. Robin Williams in 'Dead Poet's Society' or Jim Carrey in 'The Truman Show'. Jason Robard's recent death is saddening, especially when I look at this film and also his remake of 'Inherit the Wind'. Above all, the film appeals to me because it focuses on the desperate if sublimated desire of many females to escape from rigid social expectations dictated by class and education, in order to fulfil their potential. Johnson's role as the catalyst reveals a powerful portrait of an unlikely hero who wins against the odds. Both the music score and the casting of the minor characters (malevolent father and townspeople) help to build the atmosphere. Some might say they were stereotypical, but as a viewer from another country, with little knowledge of Faulkner's original stories, it provides satisfying and refreshing viewing.

I enjoyed this version as much as the 1958 version. I wish they would release the 1985 version on DVD. I though Don Johnson did a great job and I have always enjoyed Jason Robards acting. The realism of the film reminds me of the southern USA I grew up in. I remember the fears of farmers as related to barn burners and names associated with them. The director and cast did a wonderful job in my opinion with this version bringing out southern life as it really exists and family feuds. I could feel the hot, humid summer nights and almost smell the swamps and wetlands with their unique scent. Cybil Sheppard did a very nice job portraying a young southern woman questioning her marriage then realizing what she could lose.