Quantcast
Channel: My Duck Is Dead
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 26804

Smile (1975) Michael Ritchie

$
0
0
Smile (1975)
Genre: Comedy
Country: USA| Director: Michael Winner
Language: English or Spanish (2 separate audio tracks)
Subtitles: English, Spanish & French (embedded in Mkv file)
Aspect ratio: Widescreen 1.85:1 | Length: 113mn
Dvdrip H264 Mkv - 720x384 - 23.976fps - 1.44gb

It's time again for California's "Young American Miss" beauty pageant, the biggest event of the year for Big Bob Freelander and Brenda DiCarlo, who give their all to put on a successful pageant. But Brenda is having marital difficulties and Bob's son is up to some mischief. Could this year's pageant be in jeopardy?

So rarely do we find such a dark and acidic commentary filmed in such an exquisitely light fashion. "American Beauty" is an example of success in this genre, but the relatively obscure "Smile" reigns supreme.

It lays bare all the emptiness and hypocrisy of suburban America relentlessly and without mercy, and yet somehow manages to keep itself funny and bright and rarely deals with its subject matter with an overt contempt or scorn.

"Agent 99" Barbara Feldon is superb as the veneer ice-queen teen beauty pageant coordinator -- all diplomacy and smiles glossing over a charred and empty soul. (She greets the dog with smiles and kisses then ignores the husband.) Likewise, Bruce Dern portrays his vapid community leader role with perfect candor, and it becomes delicious to see him question what he perceived as the status quo.

A truly classic and trail-blazing film, well directed and edited and brilliantly written and acted. Such a shame it remains so obscure and unknown. This is one of my top five favourite films and becomes richer and more intricate with each viewing.
 Smile (1975)
or
or

Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 26804

Trending Articles