“At Home With Thanks & Giving At The Movies” Volume II, No. 9

By Stephanie Mardesich

It’s November with the autumn leaves changing to gold and umber, the heartwarming holiday of Thanksgiving culminating the month as families and friends gather to enjoy traditional culinary creations, family favorites, new variations on the theme; and remember we have so much to be thankful for in the United States of America, and share by providing groceries or prepared dinners for those who might not be so blessed.

There’s a cornucopia of movies that reflect sentiments of thanks and giving in unique scenarios. Take a look….

Brewster’s Millions (USA, Edward Small Productions, 1945, 79 min., dir. Allan Dwan)

Montague L. “Monty” Brewster (Dennis O’Keefe” former U.S.A. soldier back from World War II European “theatre of war” with barely a dime to his name, yet a gorgeous girlfriend/fiancé Peggy Gray (Helen Walker) and many true friends, learns that he’s inherited eight million dollars from a distant relative. There's a “catch” however, and, in order to gain the fortune he’s mandated to spend one million dollars of that money in less than two months, before his 30th birthday. He’s also restricted to not tell anyone about spending edict. He begins to build businesses, be generous if not extravagant in sharing his wealth, living well. His friends think he’s gone crazy. It’s a race against the calendar and his buddies think they need to stop his spendthrift m.o. Does he prevail?

This story has been filmed five times from 1914 “silent” to 1985 (a bomb with Richard Pryor in title role). Though the 1945 film might be considered a “B” picture, there’s something about it that’s simply entertaining, with an underlying message. This version is the one this writer knows and has seen many times via the telly. And just what is that “message” see it and find out!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037557/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Hannah & Her Sisters (USA, Orion Pictures, 1986, 107 min., PG-13, dir. Woody Allen)

The story is complicated “layers” taking place between Thanksgiving dinners two years apart. Three sisters from show business family of “lush” actress mother Norma (Maureen O’Sullivan) and passive father Evan (Lloyd Nolan) involves “Hannah” (Mia Farrow) whose second husband Elliott (Michael Caine) falls in love with her sister Lee (Barbara Hershey), who is not so contentedly married to brooding Frederick (Max Von Sydow). Hannah’s neurotic first husband Mickey (Woody Allen) attempts a relationship with the third sister Lee (Diane Weist) that totally fizzles out. A lot of deception, clever and witty dialogue per Allen’s style. Considered one of his films. Seven Academy Award® nominations with three wins: “Best” supporting actor and actress for Caine and Weist; original screenplay for Allen.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091167/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

She’s Gotta Have It (USA, 40 Acres & A Mule Productions, 1986, 84 min., R, dir. Spike Lee)

This first feature from director Spike Lee is a seriously sexy comedy that has much to ponder. Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) is clearly an emancipated young woman who does not believe her fidelity can’t go beyond one lover, in fact she’s juggling three: Jamie Overstreet (Tommy Redmond Hicks), Greer Childs (John Canada Terrell), and Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee). There’s an amusing, albeit uncomfortable, scene where all three are in her home for Thanksgiving dinner and she’s challenged by one to be monogamous, and they take on a celibate relationship. “Safe sex” not with standing it’s more about her libertine views and how those around her respond that propels the story to a curious climax (no pun intended) and the social and cultural ramifications to consider. Lee received “Award Of Youth” (Foreign Film) at 1986 Cannes Film Festival.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091939/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Trains Planes & Automobiles (USA, Paramount Pictures/Hughes Entertainment, 1987, 93 min., R, dir. John Hughes)

Businessman Neal Page (Steve Martin) is eager to get home for Thanksgiving to his beautiful wife Susan (Laila Robbins) and children, and their perfect suburban home. His flight cancelled due to bad weather, he decides on other means of transport. It’s a series of bad luck moments including the presence of Del Griffith (John Candy), shower curtain ring salesman and all-around goof, who is never short of advice, conversation, bad jokes. And when he decides that he is going the same direction as Neal, anathema, yet hilarious.

Considered one of Candy’s best performances ever, Oscar® worthy, and part of his extensive collaboration with director Hughes, before Candy met his early demise and passed away at only 43 years old. A true loss to the silver screen.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093748/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Scent Of A Woman (USA, Universal Pictures, 1992, 156 min., dir. Martin Brest)

Retired USA Army Lt. Colonel Frank Slade (Al Pacino) blind, impossible to get along with, makes recalcitrant seem polite. New England prep school student Charlie Simms (Chris O’Donnell) is not as well heeled as his classmates and takes a job, hired by Slade’s niece, to look after the compromised veteran over Thanksgiving to earn money for a ticket home to Oregon for Christmas. Charlie and another school mate George Willis, Jr. (Philip Seymour Hoffman) witness a prank played on their school’s Headmaster Mr. Trask (James Rebhorn) and are called out to reveal the culprits. Charlie is reticent to divulge though Trask indicates he’ll provide letter assuring Charlie’s would be accepted at Harvard as “incentive.” He has to think about it and goes off for the weekend job that turns out to be much more of an adventure than he anticipated, when Slade whisks him off to NYC and luxury accommodations and dining, as he pronounces it’s his prelude to committing suicide. An intense time when Charlie calmly dissuades Slade from blowing his brains out, crazy “Mr. Toad” ride in a Ferrari, seductive tango with alluring Donna (Gabrielle Anwar) well paced though why is the movie is so long? Ultimately Slade does the right thing on behalf of Charlie that redeems his soul. Four Oscar® nods, one win for Best Actor Al Pacino

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105323/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_42

Home For The Holidays (USA, Paramount Pictures, 1995, 103 min., PG-13, dir. Jodie Foster)

Single parent and working gal art restorer Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) is in “transition” having lost her job, had a “flirtation” with her ex-boss, learning that her daughter Kit (Clare Danes) will be with her beau for Thanksgiving. She’s forced to take flight from her home in Chicago to spend the holiday in Baltimore with her chaotic, if not convulsive, family: parents Adele (Ann Bancroft) and Henry (Charles Durning), errant brother Tommy (Robert Downey, Jr.), conservative married sister Ann Wedman (Cynthia Stevenson), her boorish husband Walter (Steve Guttenberg), and Aunt Glady (Geraldine Chaplain), and assorted friends including Leo Fish (Dylan McDermott) filling out the table. It’s mayhem and madness with some sparks between Claudia and Leo that ultimately lead to their returning to Chicago together. Strong ensemble cast and good script by W.D. Richter.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113321/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

You’ve Got Mail (USA, Warner Bros., 1998, 119 min., dir. Nora Ephron)

“Inspired” by the beloved film The Shop Around The Corner (starred James Stewart & Margaret Sullivan, 1940) this romantic comedy about a local small book store owner Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) inherited from her mother the founder being threatened to close because of the big chain conglomerate opening around the corner, owned by family of Joe Fox (Tom Hanks). Both characters are in relationships, albeit not so fulfilling, she with journalist Frank Navasky (Greg Kinnear) he with socialite career woman Patricia Eden (Parker Posey). Somehow Kathleen and Joe link under pseudonyms via email. They become ardent “pen pals” sharing their sentiments with soul and some woes over the course of about six months that includes Thanksgiving. Their “real” adversary relationship mellows almost as if their email correspondence has had a subtle effect, though Kathleen’s store indeed closes to chagrin of her faithful staff including Birdie Conrad (Jean Stapleton). Will there be a happy ending? Watch and find out. Reunites stars of popular Sleepless In Seattle Ryan and Hanks, who have great “chemistry”. Golden Globe® nod for Ryan.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Pieces of April (USA, United Artists, 2003, 80 min., PG-13, dir. Peter Hedges)

April Burns (Katie Holmes) and her beau Bobby (Derek Luke) reside in a very poor area of New York City. She’s preparing for her family who are coming from Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving dinner. The stove doesn’t work so April tries desperately to find a neighbor who will let her cook the turkey in their kitchen. En route on drive to NYC her neurotic family resentful mother Joy (Patricia Clarkson), who is dying from cancer, and father Jim (Oliver Platt) are dissecting the relationship between them and their recalcitrant daughter, revealed through the conversation with her brother Timmy (John Gallagher, Jr.), sister Beth (Alison Pill) and Grandma Dottie (Alice Drummond). Is the dinner good, and does the family propinquity mend? Oscar® nod for Clarkson for “Best Supporting Actress.”

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311648/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

What’s Cooking (UK/USA, Because Entertainment, 2000, 109 min., PG-13, dir. Gurinder Chadha)

Set in Los Angeles, several intertwined stories of four extended families from different ethnic, cultural, religious backgrounds including, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Jewish, African American preparing for Thanksgiving gatherings. Their stories are similar, yet each has their own variation and “tradition” from preparation to viewing football games on TV; and a specific event at one of the dinners has significant effect on the families. Features Joan Chen, Juliana Margulies, Mercedes Ruehl, among the capable cast.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0197096/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1

Free Birds (USA, 2013, 91 min., PG, dir. Jimmy Hayward)

This animated feature finds Reggie the Turkey (voice of Owen Wilson) spared as the annual Pardoned Turkey of Thanksgiving season. Reggie's comfortable life is disrupted by a fanatic turkey named Jake (voice of Woody Harrelson) who takes him along via an experimental time machine to the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth 1621 to assure turkeys are not part of the feast. The turkeys find themselves in the midst of a turkey clan's struggle for survival and their views of the world and themselves are challenged and will change them forever. Other “voices” for characters include Amy Poeler, George Takai, Lesley Nichol and many more.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1621039/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Thanks for “gobbling” PVP, and sharing with other readers and appreciators of culture, history, and erudition. That’s a gift unto itself.

Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; accredited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.

For more see:

(to look up films) www.imdb.com

www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)

www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories)