tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post4165772732177558232..comments2023-11-19T04:43:33.827+11:00Comments on Matt vs. the Academy: 1984 - A Passage to IndiaMatt Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317583098531787395noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-54388692889365954112009-11-17T09:10:29.927+11:002009-11-17T09:10:29.927+11:00Maurice Jarre's familiar musical themes that c...Maurice Jarre's familiar musical themes that call to mind "Doctor Zhivago" and "Ryan's Daughter" start in over the opening credits, with the two final cymbal crashes perfectly timed to coincide with Screenplay by David Lean and Directed and Edited by David Lean. Who says big time directors don't have big time egos, but perhaps these healthy egos are what is needed for masterpieces. <br /><br />"A Passage to India" isn't quite a masterpiece, but it is a fitting conclusion to a great canon of work that does include several masterpieces. Lean did have a tendency to over-produce his films after "Lawrence of Arabia," and took a bit of criticism for "Ryan's Daughter's" overblown production. Personally, I have a fondness for "Ryan's Daughter," flaws and all. <br /><br />With that shot of the train crossing the Indian horizon at sunset, you know you are watching a David Lean film. The Blu-ray on my 50" plasma screen was just beautiful to look at.<br /><br />As mentioned elsewhere, we Americans are a bit cheeky calling our baseball championship a 'World' Series, but when it comes to displaying feelings of superiority, you just can't top the Brits. As you say Matt, not many shades of gray in these characterizations. It was rather comical how all these educated people seem to run on pure emotion rather than reason. <br /><br />A nice cast chosen by Lean. Peggy Ashcroft was just excellent. I hadn't seen her in much since way back in Hitchcock's "The Thirty Nine Steps," where she was so good in a very small part. I guess like Paul Schofield, she preferred the stage. I recognized one of Aziz's companions are legal advisers as the heavy in "True Lies." I don't know what to say about Alec Guinness and his character. He seemed out of place most of the time. I read that much of Guinness's work was left on the cutting room floor, and for that he never spoke again to David Lean.Mike Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953461679716236054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-2288958305302391042009-11-09T03:53:51.195+11:002009-11-09T03:53:51.195+11:00Yes, I suspect Minghella counted Lean as one of hi...Yes, I suspect Minghella counted Lean as one of his influences.<br /><br />Your suggestion of 1996 is duly noted. I have the next couple of awards years lined up (to accommodate a certain revival screening of one particular nominee) but perhaps I'll bring in 1996 after that. Thanks!Matt Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10317583098531787395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-6657285882460226252009-11-08T22:51:13.270+11:002009-11-08T22:51:13.270+11:00Glad you liked. Lean reminds me of Minghella somet...Glad you liked. Lean reminds me of Minghella sometimes [The English Patient in particular]. Speaking of which, I'd love to hear what you thought of 1996!Andrew K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01104647944747041277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-44343271222113896432009-11-08T20:15:08.913+11:002009-11-08T20:15:08.913+11:00Don't get me started on transport here Matt. B...Don't get me started on transport here Matt. Buses replaced trains over the weekend and it took 40 minutes for a bus to arrive; 15 minutes to get from Waitara to Wahroonga (one stop away) 35 minutes to Gordon Station. 1hr and 15 minutes for a trip that should've taken 10.<br /><br />I won't be buying a I Luv Sydney shirt in the near futureJason Fnoreply@blogger.com