cornishrexrasta

The year this film was made is at odds with the childlike innocence of this screwball comedy. In a few months the Japanese attack the US, shatter that innocence and make comedy less appealing. If you suspend knowledge of events then Ball of Fire is a fantastic tribute to the talent of its writer. The screenplay is written by Hollywood legend Billy Wilder who also wrote The Apartment, Double Indemnity and Some Like It Hot and is loosely based on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

A singer played by Barbara Stanwyck witnesses a murder and deceives eight professors into hiding her from the police. The film uses comprehensible 1940's slang for much of the humour and explains most including an "Ameche" which I now know is a telephone.

There are great performances from Stanwyck, Dana Andrews and oddly Gary Cooper. Somebody looking for an actor to play a professor decided a 7 foot rugged cowboy was perfect for the part. They were right because he excels at quoting science, theorizing and playing the romantic lead. Credit should also be given to Dana Andrews who is very convincing as the murderous gang leader.

Elizabeth I is nearly always portrayed as stern and unemotional which is probably attributable to the early performances by Dame Flora Robson who set the Elizabeth blueprint. This performance by Bette Davis retains the blueprint but introduces a dark wit to the character. An example is when a scheming ambassador compliments her on her beautiful palace. She replies it was her fathers and that "I will tell him when I see him".

An ambitious adventurer named Walter Raleigh arrives at her court. He only wants three ships to sail and discover gold and the other treasures of the Americas. She takes an instant liking to the handsome Raleigh and the film revolves around her plotting to keep him at her side. She famously refused to marry because she believed in putting country first and here she manipulates Raleigh towards a private relationship that would not diminish her power as Queen in a man's world.

The colorful costumes look a bit party rental but there is plenty of historical accuracy apart from the myth of the "coat over the puddle". The performance from Richard Todd is good but there is little chemistry between him and his wife played by Joan Collins. She delivers her lines so hastily in a modern London accent as if she is about to get on a bus.

The Bette Davis interpretation of Elizabeth and the political machinations at her court are the focus points of the film. There are no dodgy Spanish Armadas or swashbuckling Errol Flynn types detracting from the storytelling or the excellent portrayal of Elizabeth.

This film is about two of the most miserable characters I have seen on screen for a while. Even a hungry mountain lion is repulsed at having to digest them. The film stars Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves who both give excellent performances in the films only speaking roles. Despite the initial antagonism, there is a ready chemistry between the lead characters due to their similar nature.

The discourse of witty cynicism between the lead characters reminded me of The Odd Couple and at times seemed strange in a California vineyard. However, if you don't mind two sour grapes taking up your time then I would recommend seeing the film.