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By
NICK ZEGARAC
Arthur Hiller's "The
Americanization of Emily" (1964) was a departure
for its British co-star, Julie Andrews. Known
primarily as the squeaky clean virgin of stage
plays, "Camelot" and "My Fair Lady," and her debut
standout as the nanny with an edge in "Mary
Poppins," on this occasion Andrews is cast as
Emily Bartham -- a rather vivacious vixen in
London's swinging west end. She's a perfect fit
for the hero of our tale, Charlie Madison (James
Gardner). With a penchant for wooing the ladies
with his false modesty and tales of heroics during
the last days of WWII, Charlie is the hottest
sexual conquest in town. His pick of the litter
eventually hurls him headstrong into the arms of
darling Em' only to realize his own romantic
fallibility when he genuinely falls in love with
her. Then duty calls on a gregarious and dangerous
mission in which Chuck is asked to put his money
where his mouth is -- and just may not live to
tell the tale afterward.
Featuring, among other things, Julie Andrews in
her first on screen sexual encounter -- the
screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky is economical to say
the least, moving in and out of intrigues and
romantic entanglements with ease, but often with a
sense that the story really doesn't have much in
the way of actual plot to offer. He introduces
Charlie to Emily quickly enough -- and then mixes
things up in a very congenial, but conventional
boy meets girl scenario. The wartime motif is
appealing, but intrusive to what is essentially an
old time romance with a genuine '60s time capsule
twist.
The transfer on "The Americanization of Emily" is
absolutely first rate. The black and white picture
elements are pronouncedly pristine, with barely a
scratch or speckle to speak of. Blacks are velvety
rich and deep. Whites are clean and bright without
blooming. The audio has been remixed to good
effect. But this is a primarily 'talking' film
with limited action so even the mono will suffice.
It's still nice to have stereo, though. Arthur
Hiller delivers a sublime and enriching audio
commentary that is head and shoulders above what
most directors and producers usually offer in
reflections of their own work. This is an
excellent DVD that should be a part of everyone's
home library. |
