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Are these the best Americana movies?
I like serendipity.
Since Tuesday was Election Day, it’s only fitting that this week’s Zagat survey category is Americana movies: Ya know, flag-wavers.
Zagat’s pollsters have put togther a very fine list. So fine, in fact, that I’m not inclined to argue with their choices much. Here are their lists, with my commentary.
Classic (pre-1960)
The Best Years of Our Lives: As I’ve said before, peerless.
The Grapes of Wrath: John Ford injected a bit too much sentiment for my taste, but for Fonda’s “I’ll be there” speech alone, this deserves to be on the list.
It’s a Wonderful Life: I love Capra-corn, so I shan’t listen to any complaints about people being tired of this movie.
Shadow of a Doubt: The idea of mixing Americana with Hitchcockian suspense might seem jarring, but Hitch and Thornton Wilder of “Our Town” fame pulled it off. Hitch called this his favorite film.
Meet Me In St. Louis: Pure joy, suffused with surprisingly strong doses of pathos.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Natch.
Yankee Doodle Dandy: Cagney’s greatness cannot be denied.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town: Pixilated.
All the King’s Men: I hope to see this soon and wash away memories of the turgid remake.
Oklahoma: Probably my favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein movie.
Modern (1960-on)
To Kill a Mockingbird: Stand up. Your father’s passing.
A Christmas Story: I triple dog-dare anyone to dispute this.
The Music Man: Probably the musical that gives the tongue it’s greatest workout.
Badlands: Wow, bold choice.
Seabiscuit: Made my 10 best list.
Stand By Me: Yes, this piece of Americana is well remembered for a mass puking scene. Gotta love it.
American Graffiti: Nice to see that someone remembered that Americana didn’t stop in the 1950s.
Far From Heaven: Wow, I’m THRILLED to see this on the list. For the way it alternated 50s sunniness with the dark undercurrents of prejudice, I named this the best film of 2002. And since we have faux Douglas SIrk on the list, I’d like to add his film “All That Heaven Allows,” which heavily inspired “Heaven.”
Forrest Gump: There’s debate about which kind of Americana the film represents, but it’s a vivid journey no matter how one looks at it.
The Straight Story: Thanks to the voters for including David Lynch’s heartwarming (there’s an adjective not commonly applied to the director) story of a man making his way cross country via a riding lawnmower.
Do you have any titles to add to the list? I think Zagat had them pretty well covered this week.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Lists
Comments
By M.E.
November 10, 2006 2:34 PM | Link to this
Well that is quite an inspiration. Love Fonda in Hitchcock’s Wrong Man. WOW…so this is better.I had better see it then!By Sir Critic
November 10, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this
M.E.: You should see “Grapes of Wrath”most of all for Henry Fonda’s performance, one of his absolute best. The stark photography also captures the Depression very well. On a personal note, I have a sentimental attachment to “Grapes of Wrath” because my high school English paper on the book so impressed my teacher, she said I should be a writer. So it’s why you’re reading this blog! :)By M.E.
November 9, 2006 1:49 PM | Link to this
Wow I can’t argue either. But It’s sad to say that I haven’t acutally seen a couple of them.The Grapes of Wrath - This one never really seemed interesting to me. Why should I see it? Yankee Doodle Dandy - This one I’m ashamed to say I haven’t seen yet. No excuse. LOVE Cagney.Haven’t seen All the King’s Men … don’t know it. Oklahoma just never watched all of it. I cannot deny that Best Years and Wonderful Life are MUST sees!!