Don't Touch The White Woman!

Rating:
Summary: You should appreciate this movie...
Review: ...a little bit more, if you knew the small facts around it: Marco Ferreri just finished shooting "La Grande Bouffe" (As well, the 4 main actors are the same as in "La Grande Bouffe") when the works for the Paris' subway RER produced a big hole in the middle of the city (Les Halles). When he saw that hole, he thought it was the most perfect stage he could get for shooting his next movie. But since he could not put the subway works on a full stop, he had to make it in a hurry, hence some shortcomings in the final output. When you'll see this one, just keep in mind that most of the scenes in this movie were almost improvised on the spur of the moment. Those who like the Marx Bros should enjoy this one.

Rating:
Summary: You should appreciate this movie...
Review: ...a little bit more, if you knew the small facts around it: Marco Ferreri just finished shooting "La Grande Bouffe" (As well, the 4 main actors are the same as in "La Grande Bouffe") when the works for the Paris' subway RER produced a big hole in the middle of the city (Les Halles). When he saw that hole, he thought it was the most perfect stage he could get for shooting his next movie. But since he could not put the subway works on a full stop, he had to make it in a hurry, hence some shortcomings in the final output. When you'll see this one, just keep in mind that most of the scenes in this movie were almost improvised on the spur of the moment. Those who like the Marx Bros should enjoy this one.

Rating:
Summary: What if Custer's Last Stand took place in Paris?
Review: All you need to know to decide if you want to tackle Marco Ferreri's 1974 absurdist comedy is that it relocates Custer's Last Stand to Paris, France. Marcello Mastroianni stars as the comically vain Custer (who comes close, but does not surpass Richard Mulligan's wonderful comic turn in "Little Big Man") and Catharine Deneuve as Marie-Helene de Boismonfrais, who seduces Custer before his fateful encounter. Michael Piccoli co-stars as Buffalo Bill, who is a Parisian nightclub performer and not exactly the macho figure recorded in history. Also featured in the cast are Ugo Tongazzi as Mitch, Philipe Noiret as General Terry, and Alain Cuny as Sitting Bull. As a satire "Don't Touch The White Woman!" contains lots of slapstick humor, but given when it was produced (near the end of the Vietnam War), it also serves as a critique of American militarism, which makes it comparable to "M*A*S*H" and "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" as allegorical attacks on what was happening in Southeast Asia. ...Custer is no longer an American hero, at least not to most Americans. Ferreri's film reflects our changing worldview with a decidedly absurd, European twist.

Rating:
Summary: What if Custer's last stand took place in Paris?
Review: All you need to know to decide if you want to tackle Marco Ferreri's 1974 absurdist comedy is that it relocates Custer's Last Stand to Paris. Marcello Mastroianni stars as the comically vain Custer (who comes close but does not surpass Richard Mulligan's comic turn in "Little Big Man") and Catharine Deneuve as Marie-Helene de Boismonfrais, who seduces Custer before his fateful encounter. Michael Piccoli co-stars as Buffalo Bill, who is a Parisian nightclub performer who is not exactly the macho figure recorded in history. Also featured in the cast are Ugo Tongazzi as Mitch, Philipe Noiret as General Terry, and Alain Cuny as Sitting Bull. As a satire "Don't Touch The White Woman!" contains lots of slapstick humor, but given when it was produced (near the end of the Vietnam War), it also serves as a critique of American militarism, which makes it comparable to "M*A*S*H" and "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" as allegorical attacks on what was happening in Southeast Asia. Well, maybe not too allegorical, since Richard Nixon comes under specific attack. Things have certainly changed since this film came out, the year I graduated high school; the "Custer Battlefield" is now known as the "Little Bighorn Battlefield," and Custer is no longer an American hero, at least not to most Americans. Ferreri's film reflects our changing worldview with a decidedly absurd, European twist.

Rating:
Summary: What if Custer's last stand took place in Paris?
Review: All you need to know to decide if you want to tackle Marco Ferreri's 1974 absurdist comedy is that it relocates Custer's Last Stand to Paris. Marcello Mastroianni stars as the comically vain Custer (who comes close but does not surpass Richard Mulligan's comic turn in "Little Big Man") and Catharine Deneuve as Marie-Helene de Boismonfrais, who seduces Custer before his fateful encounter. Michael Piccoli co-stars as Buffalo Bill, who is a Parisian nightclub performer who is not exactly the macho figure recorded in history. Also featured in the cast are Ugo Tongazzi as Mitch, Philipe Noiret as General Terry, and Alain Cuny as Sitting Bull. As a satire "Don't Touch The White Woman!" contains lots of slapstick humor, but given when it was produced (near the end of the Vietnam War), it also serves as a critique of American militarism, which makes it comparable to "M*A*S*H" and "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" as allegorical attacks on what was happening in Southeast Asia. Well, maybe not too allegorical, since Richard Nixon comes under specific attack. Things have certainly changed since this film came out, the year I graduated high school; the "Custer Battlefield" is now known as the "Little Bighorn Battlefield," and Custer is no longer an American hero, at least not to most Americans. Ferreri's film reflects our changing worldview with a decidedly absurd, European twist.

Rating:
Summary: Subtle, pointed humor
Review: I bought the DVD on Philrob's recommendation. I agree those who enjoy the Marx Brothers should look at this film, but I think it's more for the fan who looks beyond the surface humor of the Marx Brothers. The humor is subtle, sometimes too subtle for its own good, but it's on the mark. The production values are spartan at best, but overlook the deficiencies; this film has a lot to say. Cozy up to it with a cup of hot coffee and a discerning eye and enjoy.