A Place in the Sun

Rating:
Summary: AFI top 100 film, Classic Love Triangle now on DVD!
Review: The 1951 6 Oscar Winning movie "A Place in the Sun" was based on the best selling novel, An American Tragedy written by Theodore Dreiser.

Voted into the "American Film Institutes" (AFI) top 100 movies in the last 100 years (1998) with the 6 Oscars including Best Director, George Stevens is the best endorsement to watch this Black & White Full Screen 2 hour Classic film.

The Love Triangle ensemble cast (the brilliant Cliff Montgomery - as George Eastman the poor counrty cousin. The gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor (her first serious adult role & only 18 years old !) - as Angela Vickers the beautiful rich socialite and the powerful performance of Shelly Winters - as Alice Tripp the demanding plain Jane factory worker) was outstanding with their powerful performances.

Summary: George Eastman a poor country nephew of a rich Bathing Suit magnate uncle is invited to the city and offered a job. Starting at the entry level factory worker. He is warned by his cousin that fratenizing with the female employees was strickly forbidden. Weeks pass and he befriends Alice Tripp a fellow factroy worker who he has a one night stand with. Opportunity occurs and the Uncle promotes him to a management position. He enters the high society life meeting Angela Vickers and they fall passionately in love. George has found himself "A Place in the Sun". Meanwhile Alice is pregnant and demands George marry her immediately or there will be a scandal!!! What is George to do?

This movie is the ultimate love story and the stars and Hollywood deliver the audience a first rate film.

DVD extras and commentary are included. The DVD transfer quality is outstanding. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Screen Villain Ever!
Review: The lie "...I tried to help her, but she'd gone down" is the turning point of George Eastman as sympathetic mama's boy to evil incarnate. It takes two or three viewings to recognize the blurred layers of deceit Montgomery Clift has cunningly crafted to buy our compassion.

Factory co-worker Alice Tripp (carefully portrayed by Shelley Winters) and socialite Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor) complete the dangerous love triangle George Eastman indulges in for shady purposes, and which degenerates into romantic deception and, finally, murder.

This is the second film version of Theodore Dreiser's novel "An American Tragedy", updated to fit America's post-war substitution of reality with the slick Fifties facade of affluence. Eastman is living a twisted version of the American Dream, his climb up the social ladder appearing almost accidental until Alice's death, which suddenly shocks the viewer into confusion over Eastman's motives.

Director George Stevens' ("Giant", "Shane") voyeuristic approach and Franz Waxman's cognizant score perfectly and cynically weave what film legend Charlie Chaplin hailed as "the greatest American movie ever made".

Be sure to look for intriguing supporting performances by Raymond Burr ("Rear Window", "Ironside"), Anne Revere ("National Velvet", "Gentleman's Agreement"), and Ian Wolfe ("The Scarlet Claw", "Star Trek").

Rating:
Summary: Tragedy Turned to Melodrama
Review: It was probably inevitable that "An American Tragedy," in its evolution to screen, would become more about the doomed love affair of Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor than the moral and ethical dilemmas that really form the foundation of Theodore Dreiser's novel. After all, doomed love is a bigger sell, especially when you have the romantic faces of Clift and Taylor swooning together in extreme close-up.

I'm not a fan of doing book to movie comparisons. I figure that film and literature are two different art forms, so I shouldn't compare their rendering of the story anymore than I would compare the same story as presented in a painting as opposed to a ballet. So I tried to take the film on its own merits (admittedly difficult to do, since I watched the movie on the same day I finished the book), but even at that, I think the movie falls short.

Clift plays George Eastman, poor nephew to a rich, socially elite family in a small New York state factory town. He's been invited by his uncle to come and work in the Eastman factory, giving him an entre into a world of luxury that has always been out of his grasp due to his family's humble position (they run a mission and preach on the streets). George strikes up a love affair with Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters), a girl who works with him in the factory, but his attentions for her quickly fade when he becomes interested in Angela Vickers, another member of the rich set, played by Liz Taylor. Complications ensue, and George finds himself and his situation spiralling drastically out of control, with an ending more tragic than he ever thought possible.

George Stevens directs the film with a sure hand, and there are some breathtaking displays of directorial skill. For example, one that stands out in my mind comes when the camera focuses on a radio reporting a possible murder, while the young, rich kids with whom George has struck up a friendship goof off in the water in the background. There are also some great uses of dissolve editing, though the technique is somewhat overused.

But there are many problems with the film, notably its pacing. Much time is spent on George's love triangle with Alice and Angela, while the script races through the trial and George's ultimate fate, as if the screenwriter realized he only had two hours to tell his story when he'd already wasted an hour and a half on front-end material. Rushing through the end blunts much of the story's original intent and power, as that is where the majority of moral questions arise.

Also, the character Shelley Winters plays is so drab and mousy, that one doesn't understand why George would entangle himself with her in the first place. But Clift does a great job with the lead role, delivering a performance of raw nerve.

It befuddles me somewhat as to why this movie is quite so acclaimed. I can only imagine that its reception has to do with cultural moods at the time it was released and that it just hasn't aged well. It came out in 1951, a big year for literary adaptations ("A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Death of a Salesman" were both given big-screen treatments that year), and you only need to compare "Sun" to "Streetcar" to see how short it falls at capturing the essence of a ture literary classic.

Grade: B-

Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking & Realistic
Review: Ever wanted something you couldn't have? Ever wanted it so badly you'd kill to have it? In "A Place in the Sun" George Eastman (Montgomery Clift), a poor young man with big dreams, deals with these questions as he tries to make it to the top of the social ladder in spite of social prejudices from the richer Eastman clan.
As he pursues his dream of social grandeur, he falls in love with the beautiful and unatttainable Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor), a rich socialite. But just as his dreams begin to come true, George is confronted by his ex girlfriend (Shelley Winters), a poor factory employee, who is pregnant with his baby and threatens to destroy his newly attained social lifestyle. Having made it to the top, however, George is determined to stay there at any cost - a decision that leads to tragic results.

Rating:
Summary: What Chemistry
Review: The first time I viewed A Place In The Sun it did not have much of an impact on me. Perhaps I was too young, plus I did not understand Montgomery Clift's acting style. Subsequent viewings have made me realize the quality of this film. Clift stars as the poor relation of an important family who begins to work his way up. He first has a relationship with plain working girl Shelley Winters. Then he meets the real love of his life, beautiful, wealthy Elizabeth Taylor. From that point, things become very complicated for all concerned. Clift was an actor that played everything deeply, and his performances are always painfully real, just like this one, in which you can feel the conflicts that tear him apart. Winters is excellent in her tragic role, while Taylor, besides looking unbelievably beautiful, brings a lot of honesty to her character. The chemistry between the Clift and Taylor is palpable, and their on screen kiss is one of the most memorable you will ever see. Although there is a sense of doom that permeates the movie, the actors make every moment a great one. Some of elements of the story may seem dated, but it is played with such honesty and intensity that you will appreciate it for the very fine film it is.

Rating:
Summary: What life could have been.
Review: A Place in The Sun was released in 1951,it was filmed at Paramount studios. The film is 122 minutes long in clasic black and white. It was directed by George Stevens who won an oscar for his adaptation of Theodor Drieser's book "An American Tragedy". Montogemery Clift stars as George Eastman the poor cousin who comes to town to work in his rich uncles factory. Once he is there his cousin puts him at the lowest job, boxing swimsuits. 90% of the workers at the factory are women and and there is a strict rule against socializing between the men and women. On his first day George mets Alice Tripp played by Shelly Winters,who also boxes product. On a chance meeting at a movie the two of them plunge into a immediate romance and Alice ends up"In trouble, big trouble".George's uncle starts to take an intrest in him and promotes him. At the same time of his promotion George is invited to a party at his uncles home. At this party George meets beautiful, rich Angelia Vickers played by Elizabeth Taylor. They start dancing and immediately fall in love. George goes on to see both women and is torn between what he should do and what he wants to do. Alice is demanding to be married on Labor day weekend and Angelia invites George to her fathers home for a party.George goes to the party but is called away by Alice.This is when George makes a desicion that will impact what his life could have been.

Rating:
Summary: Memorable performances
Review: Excellent movie about the tragic consequences of pushing too hard to obtain the american dream. Montgomery Clift gives a realistic performance as the poor kid who makes it to the top at a high price. Liz Taylor is believable as the rich beauty who falls in love with Clift, and Shelly Winters is especially memorable as the poor factory worker who gets shoved aside by Clift after he meets Taylor. Beautifully made movie that makes you really get into the mind and heart of its protagonists. Highly Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Tragedy Turned to Melodrama
Review: It was probably inevitable that "An American Tragedy," in its evolution to screen, would become more about the doomed love affair of Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor than the moral and ethical dilemmas that really form the foundation of Theodore Dreiser's novel. After all, doomed love is a bigger sell, especially when you have the romantic faces of Clift and Taylor swooning together in extreme close-up.

I'm not a fan of doing book to movie comparisons. I figure that film and literature are two different art forms, so I shouldn't compare their rendering of the story anymore than I would compare the same story as presented in a painting as opposed to a ballet. So I tried to take the film on its own merits (admittedly difficult to do, since I watched the movie on the same day I finished the book), but even at that, I think the movie falls short.

Clift plays George Eastman, poor nephew to a rich, socially elite family in a small New York state factory town. He's been invited by his uncle to come and work in the Eastman factory, giving him an entre into a world of luxury that has always been out of his grasp due to his family's humble position (they run a mission and preach on the streets). George strikes up a love affair with Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters), a girl who works with him in the factory, but his attentions for her quickly fade when he becomes interested in Angela Vickers, another member of the rich set, played by Liz Taylor. Complications ensue, and George finds himself and his situation spiralling drastically out of control, with an ending more tragic than he ever thought possible.

George Stevens directs the film with a sure hand, and there are some breathtaking displays of directorial skill. For example, one that stands out in my mind comes when the camera focuses on a radio reporting a possible murder, while the young, rich kids with whom George has struck up a friendship goof off in the water in the background. There are also some great uses of dissolve editing, though the technique is somewhat overused.

But there are many problems with the film, notably its pacing. Much time is spent on George's love triangle with Alice and Angela, while the script races through the trial and George's ultimate fate, as if the screenwriter realized he only had two hours to tell his story when he'd already wasted an hour and a half on front-end material. Rushing through the end blunts much of the story's original intent and power, as that is where the majority of moral questions arise.

Also, the character Shelley Winters plays is so drab and mousy, that one doesn't understand why George would entangle himself with her in the first place. But Clift does a great job with the lead role, delivering a performance of raw nerve.

It befuddles me somewhat as to why this movie is quite so acclaimed. I can only imagine that its reception has to do with cultural moods at the time it was released and that it just hasn't aged well. It came out in 1951, a big year for literary adaptations ("A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Death of a Salesman" were both given big-screen treatments that year), and you only need to compare "Sun" to "Streetcar" to see how short it falls at capturing the essence of a ture literary classic.

Grade: B-

Rating:
Summary: Stop griping
Review: This film is a classic. The reviewer who says this film is overrated due to it being a 1950s film is wrong. He only wishes he could land a gorgeous beauty like Elizabeth Taylor. He only wishes he was as handsome as Montgomery Clift.

Miss Taylor is now using scenes from this movie to sell her new perfume. She has been working hard for AIDS research and awareness for two decades. Brava to her!!!

Rating:
Summary: whats the big deal?
Review: I'm not paying almost 30 dollars for a standard format DVD. I have this on VHS in standard and that does me fine until they release the DVD in widescreen. I can't believe people would pay that amount for something they can see on cable in standard format or buy the VHS at about half the price. Being deaf the extra features don't add anything because they are very, very rarely captioned.