A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951, Stevens) Rewatched this for the first time since college. Remains for me a sad and riveting movie, an intoxicating blend of noir and melodrama. And it's a weird movie, too—what a strange protagonist George is, manipulative and conniving and deceitful, but also deeply lonely and desperate for female attention; he could be a great uncle of SIMON KILLER. Stevens handling of the material is unobtrusive but artful—I love how he lets factory girl Alice open her heart to George in one long unbroken scene, or later how the camera holds on a pier radio reporting details of a murder while in the background George cruises around with the moneyed class he hopes will some day accept him. The movie ends on a slow motion kiss that burns with buried feeling and eroticism, like something out of MULHOLLAND DRIVE. Wow.

I just watched one of the 'okay' films of 1951. The film was quite predictable and well... it was just one of those big 'ol conventional stuff from Hollywood with big stars and all. Might be a nostalgic treat for some folks but it's an average film imo...

But Elizabeth Taylor DAMN!!! She's too beautiful!!!

Watching this was made all the more haunting knowing Montgomery Clift had affairs with both men and women off screen. The camera loved to peer into his eyes and he was some kind of master at manipulating his thoughts with them. That this film is punctuated by the tragedy brought on by the sins of a love affair makes it all the more scary to watch him work.

I can't remember why I was under the impression this is a must-see movie, because it isn't. The story boils down to some dumb kid doing what he was _explicitly_ told not to do, and then handling the consequences like an idiot. And the execution is a little strange - odd editorial choices, an overfondness for long lap-dissolves. And then there's Raymond Burr's scenery chewing...

I'm sure many love this. I don't count myself among that number.

2.5 stars for Monty Cliff's intense performance as the doltish protagonist, as well as for Liz Taylor's eyes and perfect complection.

**Part of the Best Picture Project**

Solid melodrama about a man caught in an affair with his heart in two places. It's rife with conflict, and Montgomery Clift is excellent in the lead, but it's also a bit too over the top for a simple story, which is a shame considering how downplayed it starts out.

"Tell mama, tell mama all..." The cinematography in this film is beautiful precision. A skill that seems lost in today's cinema. Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor were remarkably paired for this sad love story. Shelly Winters really stands out with her most intriguing performance.

I just watched one of the 'okay' films of 1951. The film was quite predictable and well... it was just one of those big 'ol conventional stuff from Hollywood with big stars and all. Might be a nostalgic treat for some folks but it's an average film imo...

But Elizabeth Taylor DAMN!!! She's too beautiful!!!

I can't remember why I was under the impression this is a must-see movie, because it isn't. The story boils down to some dumb kid doing what he was _explicitly_ told not to do, and then handling the consequences like an idiot. And the execution is a little strange - odd editorial choices, an overfondness for long lap-dissolves. And then there's Raymond Burr's scenery chewing...

I'm sure many love this. I don't count myself among that number.

2.5 stars for Monty Cliff's intense performance as the doltish protagonist, as well as for Liz Taylor's eyes and perfect complection.

**Part of the Best Picture Project**

Solid melodrama about a man caught in an affair with his heart in two places. It's rife with conflict, and Montgomery Clift is excellent in the lead, but it's also a bit too over the top for a simple story, which is a shame considering how downplayed it starts out.

A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951, Stevens) Rewatched this for the first time since college. Remains for me a sad and riveting movie, an intoxicating blend of noir and melodrama. And it's a weird movie, too—what a strange protagonist George is, manipulative and conniving and deceitful, but also deeply lonely and desperate for female attention; he could be a great uncle of SIMON KILLER. Stevens handling of the material is unobtrusive but artful—I love how he lets factory girl Alice open her heart to George in one long unbroken scene, or later how the camera holds on a pier radio reporting details of a murder while in the background George cruises around with the moneyed class he hopes will some day accept him. The movie ends on a slow motion kiss that burns with buried feeling and eroticism, like something out of MULHOLLAND DRIVE. Wow.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

The pretty ordinary story works extraordinarily well, thanks in no small way to the Clift-Taylor pairing.

Solid acting and a fantastic storyline that keeps you guessing right till the end. Montgomery Clift is mesmerizing and Dame Elizabeth Taylor is the very definition of beauty.