Tea and crumpets. Growing up, those were the first two things that came to mind when I thought of the British. Later, in school, I started to realize that they weren’t bizarre foreigners from a far off land, but that their influence on North America’s music, and especially literature, were far more prevalent than I thought. It took me well into my teens, however, to realize that the true British impact on my world manifested itself in film.
I realize that I’m generalizing here, but like everybody else, my exposure to film in my youth was pretty restricted to the mainstream. Being ignorant to the ways of the world, I also assumed that if they were speaking English, it had to be an American film. All Canadians could make was imitation television with an earthy spin, like ‘Danger Bay‘, ‘The Beachcombers‘, and ‘The Edison Twins.’ Similarly, the English seemed to make boring, talky, crime-drama, television. (For the record, I grew to become a die hard fan of almost all British mystery and comedy.)
When I was 13, my dad tried to expose me to culture and took me to ‘The Crying Game.’ While I can appreciate it’s quality now, at the time it was one of the weirdest things I’d ever seen. As I grew up and developed a passion for movies, I saw two British films (oddly enough, they were both made in the same year) that changed everything and started a whole new addiction. Those two movies were ‘A Clockwork Orange’, and ‘Get Carter’ (not the Sly travesty, but the Mike Hodges masterpiece).
Fast forward to now. Looking back at 2009, I was asked many times over what my favorite of the year was, and I kept coming back to Duncan Jones’ brilliant psychological journey, ‘Moon.’ So, in the spirit of great storytelling, here are some of the favorites that I think of now when I reflect on how the UK has influenced my movie watching.
The Italian Job (1969) – Before I had the good fortune to be introduced to the films of Steve McQueen (one of my favorite American actors), this film and its use of cars blew my mind. It still amazes me the flip sides of the coin that this film and ‘Get Carter’ show of Sir Caine’s acting ability. It also showed me that scenery and location are so much more than a backdrop or setting – they are actually characters in any well filmed movie.
A Clockwork Orange (1971) – Classical music took on a whole new meaning for me after this. I had never seen anything so guttural and unforgiving. Malcom McDowell was the first villain I’d ever seen as a protagonist and it still surprises me that a Golden Globe nomination was all he received. If you haven’t seen this movie, then you shouldn’t be reading this article. This movie slapped me in the face, called me names I’d never heard, and made me walk cautiously when having to go through an underpass.
Get Carter (1971) – Mike Hodges directing Michael Caine + a double barrel shotgun = the most eerily calm badass of the century. Until this movie, guns = action = some meat-head killing a bunch of people for no real reason = blockbuster. Michael Caine was so cool, that he could call his boss’s girlfriend and have phone sex with her in between walking around and killing people and never break a sweat. Do NOT watch the remake. Please, please, please; if you have any self-respect, avoid it at all costs. Michael Caine could destroy Sly on any day of the week. I don’t care how old or endearing he gets, Michael Caine is cooler and more hardcore than ANYONE. Plus, he’s been knighted!
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) – OK, critically, this film was poorly received, as far as Terry Gilliam movies go. I had seen ‘Time Bandits‘ before this, and loved it, but this movie stretched reality in a less linear fashion than time traveling midgets that work for God, believe it or not. I don’t care what they say, I loved every second of it. It may not be as overtly funny as it was intended, but at the time it showed me how diverse the term “humor” really is. I had seen and loved Monty Python, but I had never seen anything like this. I don’t even know how to describe it, but I’ve loved Gilliam ever since. It was also the first time I’d ever seen Uma Thurman. I’m still convinced that she’s not supposed to be attractive, but somehow she is.
Croupier (1998) – While ‘Get Carter’ was enough to convince me to try anything that Mike Hodges directed, I was not expecting Clive Owen. I have been a fan of Owen since the first scene in this movie, and as much as I like Daniel Craig, you can’t watch this movie and not automatically wonder what Clive’s Bond would be like.
Snatch (2000) – Everyone saw ‘Lock Stock..’, and everyone enjoyed it. ‘Snatch’, however, showed what Guy Ritchie could do with a budget and a name. It was fast, confusing, hilarious, action-packed and entertaining from start to finish. And it didn’t need explosions, or a PG-rated buddy team to lead it. Years later, when visiting a girlfriend’s pig farm, I grew terrified the instant they started smelling my feet, and I ran away fast. Pigs still creep me out to this day. If you saw and enjoyed Ritchie’s ‘Sherlock Holmes‘, this movie served as the blueprint for his great fight scenes.
Sexy Beast (2000) – Until this movie, I didn’t really realize that “gangster” movies could have a deliberate pace, be riddled with dialogue, and still be riveting. It is because of this movie that I get excited when I think about the upcoming ‘44 Inch Chest.‘ This was my first major exposure to both Ray Winstone and Ian McShane, both of whom are incredible in everything they do; especially McShane’s perfectly devious Swearengen in ‘Deadwood.’ The most amazing scene in this move, however, is Ben Kingsley’s rant in the bathroom. Once you see it, you will never forget it, and you’ll probably go around quoting it for a few months.
– Pig
[Ed. Note – Don't get your lip all stiff, the list continues next week in Part Two.]
