Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant satire
Review: Proof once again that the Brits make the best films. This film would never be made in America. Its blend of social satire, comedy, political comment, and underlying seriousness, makes this film unique. That someone could call this film "frothy" is incomprehensible to me. It is a deft satire with a serious message, without ever seeming serious. The film makes you think while it is entertaining you. Guiness is superb as the brilliant, but clueless, scientist who invents a fabric that never gets dirty and never wears out. Seems great, doesn't it. But a worker at the plant where Sidney (Guinness) works sees what he doesn't: that they will only have to make one lot. So labor turns against the idea, and of course, management wants to suppress it (in favor of planned obsolescence).
It is all delicious fun all the way, all the while making you think about modern, consumer-driven economies. The cast is composed of Ealing regulars, all of whom turn in top notch performances. This is one of the all time great films. Don't miss it.
Rating: 
Summary: Just a small P.S.
Review: Putting together the information of the different reviews will give customers already a good idea about the plot of this very interesting movie. But I just wanted to add -I'm somewhat surprised that nobody made the comparison- that the sultry voice and some little feminine gestures of sensual Miss Joan Greenwood in this film bears quite some resemblance to Veronica Lake's. In fact, there was another thing that reminded me of a V.Lake/Alan Ladd movie: the character of the old boss of bosses of the textile industry somewhat resembles a catain pg industry, head of a dubious chemical plant in 'This gun for hire" 10 years earlier.
I guess the choice of "white" for the new product is not a coïncidence, being the complete opposite of the "black" city and the black cars and suits of the bosses.
Rating:
Summary: More Than a Comedy
Review: Since there is already an excellent plot synopsis, and good reviews, I have just a few comments. In selecting acting roles, Alec Guinness clearly felt that variety was the spice of life !
"The Man in the White Suit" is a brilliant, but very eccentric scientist, and Guinness is of course terrific in the lead. As always, Cecil Parker is fine in support, and Joan Greenwood, with her breathy, seductive voice, is wonderful. As other reviewers have noted, watch for Ernest Thesiger as "Sir John"--in just a few scenes he manages to convey pure evil and greed very convincingly.While this film has humour, it is not quite a comedy in the usual sense. Its various themes and messages ring true even today. "Planned obsolescence" is as much a part of modern manufacturing as it has ever been. The possibility of a product that never wears out and will never need to be replaced is every big business' worst nightmare, and hardly good news for labour either. This comes across in the movie, and in 2003 I don't expect that the reaction would be any different. We have been hearing about engines that run on solar power or even water for years--guess how much "big oil" is going to let that happen ? ! The movie has a number of unforgettable scenes, including the climax where Guinness is cornered by the mob of workers and capitalists, united in their fear. The ending is as upbeat as one could expect, without compromising the seriousness of the theme. The picture quality of the DVD is fine, especially for a 52-year old film. If you like classic movies that are aimed at your brain, as well as your funny-bone, "The Man in the White Suit" fills the bill.
Rating:
Summary: Emperor's New Clothes set with socio-economic issues...
Review: The driven Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness) bounces from job to job as he finds a way to sneak into each textile company's laboratory where he commences his own scientific investigations in regards to a new resistible fabric. This fabric should be able to withstand almost anything and even repel dirt. However, each time he gets close to finding the solution he must escape or is taken for a mad man. Man in the White Suit is an interesting satire as it combines the Emperor's New Clothes with socio-economic issues in a modern setting. This comedy is enhanced through Alec Guinness's character Stratton who is rather eccentric and absentminded as he performs with his usual brilliance, which leaves the audience with a wonderful cinematic experience.
Rating:
Summary: A classic.
Review: This is truly a great movie...if only it were more available, or even better, on DVD! Alec Guinness is, of course, a great actor, but the key to this story is the gorgeous use of symbolism both within the story and the visual presentation. The movie touches on labor vs. management, man vs. machine, capitalism vs. socialism...and a whole host of classic themes. The images of Alec Guinness in his perfect white suit, surrounded by angry mobs, in dirty and industrial England are gorgeously portrayed and make this one of my all time favorite films.
Rating:
Summary: Whiteout
Review: Would anyone really want to live in a perfect world? That momentous question and nothing less is the theme of Alexander Mackendrick's comedy, which despite it's high reputation is still, to my mind, one of the most underrated films in the world's cinema. Mackendrick examines what the human race really means by perfection in this allegory about a semi-mad scientist who seems to invent a perpetually clean, tear-proof cloth. There goes any need for variety in anybody's clothing, ever, and although the textile industry is the setting for the story it doesn't take much imagination to see the director's point in a larger context. Mark Twain used to say that the Christian idea of heaven sounded like hell to him, and we see that same insight brought to visual life here. An impeccable cast, headlined both by the great Alec Guinness and by Joan Greenwood, whose voice was almost as distinctive as Guinness'. As a social comedy I rate it with Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove," and I can think of no higher praise.
|
