Music reveals something about movies
The ballots were cast and counted. The biggest vote of the year
is over and by now most people who have even a passing interest in
the movies know the results of the 80th Academy Awards
– and who was best dressed. Daniel Day-Lewis, who is notorious
for taking years off in between pictures to make sure he only
performs in quality films, took home the best actor award for
”
There Will Be Blood.
”
Marion Cotillard won for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in
”
La Vie en Rose.
”
Music reveals something about movies
The ballots were cast and counted. The biggest vote of the year is over and by now most people who have even a passing interest in the movies know the results of the 80th Academy Awards – and who was best dressed. Daniel Day-Lewis, who is notorious for taking years off in between pictures to make sure he only performs in quality films, took home the best actor award for “There Will Be Blood.” Marion Cotillard won for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in “La Vie en Rose.”
The Coen brothers’ latest, “No Country For Old Men,” took home best picture honors as well as several other awards. None of these wins were unexpected. But there is one category where a small, little known independent film won against a major studio. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova starred in the Irish film “Once” about two musicians who meet by chance. Together they write a song that will help launch a career for one of them. Hansard and Irglova, the actors, wrote the music and lyrics for “Falling Slowly,” a song which Irglova said is about hope. They won for best original song against songs from “Enchanted” and “August Rush,” and the song may very well be the start of their careers.
Music is often something we don’t think about as we watch movies, but it can make all the difference in how we feel about the characters and moving the plot along. It may seem like a little award to win compared to best picture but it is an honor just the same.
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” based on a story by Truman Capote, received five Academy nominations in 1962. Audrey Hepburn received a nod for best actress; George Axelrod for best adapted screen play; and four others for best art direction. But it was the music categories that made the film a winner. Henry Mancini wrote the origianl score and Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics for the award winning song “Moon River.”
The song allows viewers to see Holly Golightly (Hepburn) in a light that is rare. She is always the performer and as one character says, “She’s a phony, but she’s a real phony.” But when she sings to herself on her fire escape it allows her neighbor Paul ‘Fred’ Varjack (George Peppard) to see a little bit of the sadness that she hides.
Holly is a party girl who makes a living off wealthy men. She lives in a New York apartment by herself with her cat Cat, whom she hasn’t named because they don’t really belong to each other. After nights out on the town, she stops by Tiffany’s – the diamond jeweler – to eat a Danish, smoke a cigarette and drink some coffee.
Hepburn was perfect for the part as she had a grace and elegance that allowed Holly to look sophisticated, even when she wears nothing but a bed sheet as a gown. But it also allows the character to be vulnerable at times.
The story starts when Holly makes the acquaintance of a new neighbor Paul, who she likes to call Fred because he reminds her of her brother Fred. Paul is a dashingly handsome young man with often-disheveled blond hair, sparkling blue eyes and boyish good looks. Peppard looks and acts very much like Chris O’Donnell, who has made a name for himself playing romantic leads.
Paul is not that different than Holly, as he is having an affair with a married woman who pays his bills. But his interest in his affair wanes as he spends more time with Holly. He tries to get to know her, but there is little Holly reveals about her true self. The movie progresses as the main characters fight with their desire to live life the easy way by depending on others and their desire to find real love. One of the best scenes is when Paul receives a check. It is an advance for a book he has written, and he offers to spend it plus $10 he has in his wallet at Tiffany’s. It becomes clear how Holly really feels about him in the scene, when she settles on having a Cracker Jack ring engraved instead of jewelry. But it still takes a while for the two to figure out what they really want out of life.
Cinequest Film Festival
The Cineqeust Film Festival opened in San Jose Feb. 27 and runs through March 9. The festival opened with the world premiere of “Eden Court,” a film starrring Thomas Lennon (Reno 911) and Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Father of the Bride.) The film follows Shroeder (Lennon) as he turns 30 and reevaluates his life.
Plenty of other events are still happening at the downtown San Jose venues, including more screenings of feature-length films, documentaries and shorts programs. For would-be filmmakers, the festival includes forums on sound editing, writing and other topics.
One highlight also includes honoring this year’s Maverick Spirit Award winners. Honorees include Michael Keaton, Danny Glover, and others.
For more information or for tickets, visit www.cinequest.org.
Melissa Flores can be reached at
mf*****@pi**********.com
.
