Movie Diary 9/9/2010

There’s Always Tomorrow (Douglas Sirk, 1957). B&W Sirk from his great period, with Fred MacMurray a disenchanted gray-flannel-suit type who sees old friend Barbara Stanwyck again after 20 years. A very civilized movie with some great exchanges (Stanwyck hitting everything on the button, per usual), and Sirk’s expressive way with interiors.

Mademoiselle Chambon (Stéphane Brizé, 2009). Haven’t seen too much of this director’s films, and you can kind of see why: this is a thoughtful, well-managed, but not quite distinctive movie – except in the lovely performances by Sandrine Kiberlain and Vincent Lindon. He’s a builder, well married, who becomes fascinated by his son’s cultivated teacher.

The Virginity Hit (Huck Botko, Andrew Gurland, 2010). And it was so nice thinking about those other movies. A wacky comedy in which the old gang video-blogs the final virgin in their midst, an act that virtually an entire circle of friends seems to be sharing, in some creepy way. I guess this is the American Pie this moment deserves. (full review 9/17)