Niven in a Bind!
This 1954 Ealing comedy is pleasant enough, but does stand out for a few distinctive features.
The international settings around Lake Como are splendid, especially since we're fortunate, in that they are presented in colour.
David Niven gives a lively, energetic, physical performance, even though (somewhat incongruously) he is playing a burnt out, but very popular matinee idol.
The rather bland script is given extra life when one considers, the main storyline involving a competition to raffle Niven's character to be married off, anticipates popular (I seriously don't know why.), contemporary reality TV shows such as Married at First Sight, The Farmer Wants a Wife and The Bachelor.
Lastly, the concluding scene, filmed overlooking the Thames River, includes one of the great actors of the 40's and 50's in a surprising wordless cameo. It's a corker and does finish the movie on the right note.
The international settings around Lake Como are splendid, especially since we're fortunate, in that they are presented in colour.
David Niven gives a lively, energetic, physical performance, even though (somewhat incongruously) he is playing a burnt out, but very popular matinee idol.
The rather bland script is given extra life when one considers, the main storyline involving a competition to raffle Niven's character to be married off, anticipates popular (I seriously don't know why.), contemporary reality TV shows such as Married at First Sight, The Farmer Wants a Wife and The Bachelor.
Lastly, the concluding scene, filmed overlooking the Thames River, includes one of the great actors of the 40's and 50's in a surprising wordless cameo. It's a corker and does finish the movie on the right note.
- spookyrat1
- Jul 1, 2020