Just saw my first Otto Preminger film, and my god it blew me away. It was Advise and Consent adapted by Wendell Mayes from the 1959 novel by Allen Drury. Like most Preminger films, it boasts an unbelievable ensemble cast. Was Charles Laughton's last role before he passed away. It's probably the only film I've seen that felt like three different films, in a row, in the best possible sense. Too many thoughts on it to write it out here, without delving into a half-baked essay, but some highlights:
- incredibly progressive, (and at the time, I imagine, transgressive) featuring a subplot that becomes a central plot -- that was bold and powerful well ahead of its time (from what I can tell this was either negatively discussed or glossed over altogether by the critics at the time)
- Charles Laughton is truly unbelievable to watch, everything Frank Underwood wishes he could be
- Preminger offered both Martin Luther King Jr. and Richard Nixon roles in the film. MLK wanted to join but feared it'd distract from his civil rights causes. Nixon was his essential crotchety self and refused on the basis that it wasn't realistic enough.
- Probably the only film that depicts jingoistic patriotism in a humanized light, not championing the perspective (in Laughton's character) but allowing you to see how it comes about, how it might be forgiven at least - after you neuter it.
- Pure master class experience on how to adapt a novel to a screenplay, also how to control space and environment in your framing... among so much else.
