Gigolo e gigolette

The last of three films taking several Somerset Maugham short stories and getting them up on the screen (the other two were "Quartet" and "Trio"), this one again is a mixed bag, and there seems to be no agreement among commentators about which stories are superior. For me, I'll agree with most of the critics who say that the opener, "The Ant and the Grasshopper," is pretty slim pickins, especially as its ending is too absurd to be credible. But the next story, "Winter Cruise" is a remarkably beautiful effort. In some ways it shares a lot of the plot of "Mr. Know-All" in the second movie, "Trio." A passenger (this time female) makes everyone on board the ship uncomfortable and a little annoyed by her constant talking. And again, as in "Mr. Know-All," it's surprising how nicely the unlucky people who have to put up with her behave toward her -- very civilized, very polite. And finally, like "Mr. Know-All," there is a wonderful turn of events that puts the best light on everything and everyone. Only this time, the whole business is ratcheted up considerably. For me it was the gem of all three movies. The final story, "Gigolo and Gigolette," was less interesting to me, as the plot was so specific it was hard to generalize any moral from it. But it did allow the movie to go out with a bang. I also felt the actress playing the gigolette was sleepwalking through her part (and I've enjoyed her in other movies). With this movie the Maugham franchise was spent. The three movies, taken as a whole, were okay, but I wouldn't be upset if I had to leave this mortal coil without having seen them.

Sumerset Maughm has always been one of my favorite novelists. He has the ability to present human struggles among all classes, especially significant because of the rigid, British class system in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when he lived and wrote. All three of the stories told in "Encore," present completely different types of people facing compelling personal problems. I disagree with some of the other respondents who claim "Encore" is a flawed film. All three of the stories in this movie are equally compelling in that they manage to capture the humanity in even the most unlikely, odd characters. The dialog is witty, the acting superb. The audience grows fond of the characters, as they develop. Maughm weaves humor, tension, romance and irony together in a masterful way to create unique worlds alive with life lessons for us all. If you have the opportunity to watch "Encore," you won't be sorry you did.

The easiest way to describe this is to say that if you liked the Alfred Hitchcock TV series, you'll like this. In both tone, content, presentation, and humor it is practically a dead ringer for that venerable program, right down to the witty monologues by author Somerset Maugham preceding each vignette. Even the suspense generated in the third story seems to be a melody taken straight from the Hitchcock repertoire. Probably the only really noticeable difference is the gentler treatment of the characters than is common with Hitch's work. Very entertaining example of that genre -- and several years before that series hit the air.

Have always appreciated W Somerset Maugham's writing, it has been criticised for not holding up well but really like the sharpness of the prose, the insight, the irony and charm. He is not adapted enough on film, but when he is it makes for interesting results. Something that is evident in the portmanteau trilogy 'The Aesop's Fables Maugham Concerto Trilogy', consisting of 'Quartet' (1948), 'Trio' (1950) and 'Encore' (1951).

Like 'Quartet' the best marginally, due to "The Colonel's Lady" being my favourite of all the segments of the entire trilogy, while equally liking 'Trio'. Of the three, my least favourite is 'Encore', which is still worthwhile and not because it's bad, just that the other two's segments were more consistent and higher individually in quality. It's uneven but as was said with 'Quartet' and 'Trio' that was not unexpected, considering the usual standard of anthologies (am not meaning this in a derogatory manner). Like 'Trio', 'Encore' is made up of three segments, starting with "The Ant and the Grasshopper" and finishing with "Gigolo and Gigolette" with "Winter Cruise" sandwiched in between.

Unlike 'Quartet' and 'Trio', there are moments of pedestrian direction, apparent in some of "The Ant and the Grasshopper" and on occasions, but only fleetingly in, "The Gigolo and the Gigolette". Found myself not the biggest fan of "The Ant and the Grasshopper", which was admittedly amusing and had great comic timing from especially Nigel Patrick in one of the film's standout performances.

The pacing did need more kick though, while the characters are rather too cynical, while not being as interesting as the rich characterisation in particularly the "Sanitorium" segment in 'Trio', and the ending is on the absurd side.

On the other hand, "Winter Cruise" is very entertaining, lifted by the delightful (if not working for everyone) turn of Kay Walsh having a ball, and with a touch of pathos. The longest segment "The Gigolo and the Gigolette" is not loved by all, though it has been considered the best of the three (my favourite actually is "Winter Cruise", but mostly the pace is fine, it is the most unpredictable of the three with an ending that one does not expect and one is treated to a good deal of emotion and especially tension before getting there.

Have no issues with the performances really and Maugham's writing shines just as much as it did in 'Quartet' and 'Trio', the insight, irony and charm frequently present though the lightness was more apparent in those two films. He again introduces and bookends the film and each segment and he delivers it with the same qualities he brought to 'Quartet' and 'Trio'. Like the previous two films, 'Encore' is pleasing visually and appropriately scored.

In conclusion, worthwhile end to a very interesting and well done trilogy of portmanteaus. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This is another trio of Somerset Maugham's short stories. The first one has been wiped from my memory, it was exceedingly dull! The second one started off well, and ended splendidly, but started to drag in the middle. It's the 3rd and final tale that is the gem, centering on a daredevil girl who "dives from a height of 80 feet in 5 foot of flames" - her pool to land in is actually set alight! - and her boyfriend, who are trying to get some money together for a safe future, by her doing a most unsafe act. It will have you on the edge of your seat, guaranteed! Respectively, I give the three tales 3, 6, and 10 out of 10.