jimkis-3

First off, you see this and you ask yourself -- why did Fox spend a fortune using color film for Betty Grable fluff, but one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th Century warrants only black and white? The film seems to be mediocre in every respect -- the stars are sort of big, but not really. Well, you have Barbara Stanwyck, but she was past her prime -- still nice to look at but not as stellar as she once was. Then there's the story -- almost as saccharine as the 1997 film (if that's possible) -- but it's the same old Hollywood pap -- turning a disaster into a soap opera. And though this is less than half the length of the overblown 1997 telling, it still seems too long. There is no tension or build-up presaging the disaster, and it is really, really hard to care about anyone -- especially a family whose main problem is how to live out the rest of their well-to-do lives -- and where they should do it. And what little irony there is so heavy-handed as to be ineffectual. The ultimate question about this film is why was it even made in the first place.

The only pairing of Ginger and Jimmy Stewart is a remarkable comedy with almost no wasted moments. Ginger's sex appeal is much in evidence in this film -- indeed, the film is full of sexual tension as Ginger and Jimmy strive to consummate their marriage -- but are constantly interrupted. In addition to many and varied bits of comedy, there is also a great little dance number where Ginger and Beluah Bondi (!) do the "Big Apple." The cast is perfect and the comedy is timeless. Too bad this is not out on video or DVD! One of the best Ginger solo starring efforts, and watchable again and again!

I like Chris Rock, but I feel he is wasted in this film. The idea of remaking Heaven Can Wait is fine, but the filmmakers followed the plot of that turkey too closely. When Eddie Murphy remade Dr. Doolittle and The Nutty Professor, he re-did them totally -- so they became Murphy films/vehicles, not just tepid remakes. That's why they were successful. If Chris had done the same, this could have been a much better film. The few laughs that come are when he is doing his standup routine -- so he might as well have done a concert film. It also would have been much funnier if the white man whose body he inhabits was a truck driver or hillbilly. So why does Hollywood keep making junk like this? Because people go to see it -- because they like Chris Rock. So give Chris a decent script and give us better movies! Don't remake films that weren't that good in the first place!