(From IMDb.com)
Envision Hollywood as it was in the 1950s, with big stars in the middle of epic historical remakes, comedies and musicals all the while embroiled in dodgy personal lives sure to draw the interest of the best gossip columnists and the American public at large, all of it keeping studio officials on their toes to feed the big machine.
Ethan and Joel Coen sure did, writing and directing Hail, Caeser to bring back the shine of what some folks would surely call the good, old day.
Of course, the brothers also installed enough of their oddball eccentricity to make this combination comedy-musical-drama work quite well. Oh, while we’re in the descriptive stage, let’s not forget the dance numbers and western scenes.
And it all works, thanks to a plot that’s filled with moments that are so weird they’re positively endearing and actors that are so endearing when they’re playing parts that are so weird.
Josh Brolin is the solid center of the whole zany universe as Eddie Mannix, the fixer for Capitol Pictures who must make sure that every film made on the Hollywood lot runs as smoothly as possible — which he knows is not very despite his ungodly work hours — and rings the cash register, too.
Brolin’s marvelous manners are brusque when he has to be but sweet enough when that’s called for, too, like when he’s done majestically steering the twin gossip columnists both played like bitter pills by Tilda Swinton.
When he’s earnestly confessing his small sins daily to a tired priest, it’s pure gold.
George Clooney is loopy as studio star Baird Whitlock, kidnapped from his Roman role in the film that’s the title here, too, by a group of … Well, we will go no further in describing them here.
Scarlet Johansson and Josh Brolin in Hail, Caesar!
Alden Ehrenreich shows well as part rube and part slickster as the cowboy tapped to take over as romantic leading man in the pinch, and Scarlet Johansson’s big accent and outlandish mermaid ways are humorous in her small but important role. In fact, the Coens convinced Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and Frances McDormand to take small but interesting parts, with Tatum’s dancing and conniving the most important of the three.
It all adds up to outlandish fun that had the medium-sized Saturday matinée crowd at the Regal Cinemas theater in Syracuse’s mega shopping, dining and entertainment complex Destiny USA quite content.
Are you a fan of the 1950’s style blockbuster, and why or why not? What’s your pick 1950s pick: drama, comedy or musical, and why? What’s your favorite Coen Brothers movie, and why?
Mark Bialczak 
So you liked it? It bombed with the critics? I’m confused. Then again, the critics loved Birdman.
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I am my own judge. You know that, Liz. My tastes are not of the flock of critics.
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Hail, Mark! We’ll be seeing “Hail Caesar!” this coming weekend.
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You will love it, Ann, I predict.
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The trailer makes you want to jump inside. Looks like a colorful romp!
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It is a throwback, for sure, Kerbey.
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FYI: http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/02/08/hail_caesar_s_real_life_inspirations_broken_down_star_by_star_and_movie.html
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Thanks, Merriil. Always on the lookout.
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🙂
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i am really excited and can’t wait to see this! i love the coens, love old hollywood, and love when the movie biz makes fun of itself. my fave so far, was ‘fargo.’ i love the accents, the characters, and every line.
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Yes, that Fargo accent worked its way into my brain, a movie earworm for sure, Beth. 🙂
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This one looks good. Thanks for the review.
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I think you’d like it Marissa. I am going to come over to enjoy some poetry soon.
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Maybe I’ll even get the kids to put it on the old Netflix queue!
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Sounds like an interesting film. They sure did attract some big stars to be part of it. My favorite Coen brother films are “Fargo”, “Raising Arizona” and “True Grit”.
Hope all is well with you!!!!!!
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Hi, SD. I will get over to visit you soon. It’s on my list. I hope you are well, my friend.
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I am well, as I hope you and your family are. It is good to hear from you.
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Thinking of 1950 movie stars brings up names like, (I may be off in the timing thing), Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn, Sandra Dee, Eddie Fischer…(I think Audrey Hepburn might have been the 60’s).and so many more!
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Yes, they were big stars back then, PJ. I remember when I was a tyke. 🙂 In the 60s.
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Are they all in the 60’s??
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No, but I was a tyke in the ’60s.
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I was a tyke in the 50’s.
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Me, too, technically I guess, since I was born in 1957, PJ.
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1951
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I suppose I like all the Coen Brothers movies fine enough, maybe Lebowski best though. I enjoy bizarre. I find that life’s plots are not as neat and tidy as most films, and I truly enjoy their brand of weird. I want to see this one, but The Mister does not.
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Go with the older young ‘uns, maybe, Joey? Nothing in this to upset them, I don’t think.
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We saw it last week. It’s not a great movie, but it is great fun. I loved the tap dance scene (among others). It was a fun homage to 1950s movies.
I just looked up the Coen Brothers, and there are so many movies that I didn’t remember they had done–like No Country for Old Men. Other favorites–Brother Where Art Thou? and Fargo.
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Yes, they are versatile in their eccentricity, Merril, and that is why I dig the Coen Brothers 🙂
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