Goodbye to Berlin

Cabaret (1972) 

Yes, I know there is a trend to this blog - films set in/about Berlin. Some of it is coincidence, some of it my intrigue into the city and how it has been shaped by its history and mythology as being a turbulent city with war, peace and bohemians. 

In Cabaret, Berlin is not landlocked between Capitalist and Communist states, but instead is being roused up by Fascism: its 1931 and the Nazis are shaking the status quo. However, the film is not centred around the politics of the country. There is instead a jazzy, uplifting yet ambiguous romance between whimsical Cabaret dancer Sally Bowles and refined English teacher and Cambridge graduate Brian Roberts. They have a symbiotic relationship as Sally Bowles' attitude to life; carefree but entangled in childish desires affects 'Bri' as he loosens up and feeds off the energy that Berlin feeds. Again, it is interesting though how two lifestyles conflict between their hedonism and the foreboding maliciousness of the Nazi's that are soon to enthrall Germany. Brian becomes angry and their tightening grip yet still citizens believe they will pass out of popularity soon.

The film is undoubtedly erotic although its displayed more obscure than expected. The Kit Kat Cabaret club opens the film and becomes a motif for displaying Sally Bowles's thoughts through the songs she performs along side the enigmatic, but frolicsome MC (Joel Grey). The noise and colour are exciting and the dances are dynamic and very theatrical. The setting is a fusion of vintage, with modern highlights as Bob Fosse (Director & Choreographer) displays his unique choreography - and the costume design, although true to the era, reflects the trend in the 70s to emulate the style of the 30s.

Sally Bowles as Liza Minelli is perfect casting as she portrays a confidant exterior when dancing, her sensual routines combined with her definitive black outfit with the bowler hat. This is juxtaposed with her childlike face, yearning eyes and ladybird-esque hair cut that defines her but incorporates her vulnerability alongside youthful integrity. These attributes make her a very curious and engaging character!

They are just too good!

The dynamism of the characters, who slot into the bubbling location successfully, mean that relationships fluctuate just as the city is constantly changing. Christopher Isherwood - the author of the original text that influences the film - mirrors himself in the text as Brian. Brian is indecisive about his sexuality which makes him seem more insecure - this feeling is echoed all around the film - as if he is moving away from his repressive background of Cambridge University, into the unknown and almost wholly accepting society of Cabaret dancers and Playboy millionaires.

Apart from these serious undertones, the film has a great soundtrack, the song Money makes the World go around is very relevant today. This film should never become decadent.
****

Ode to Washington

Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

It is one of the first films I have seen which is directly about politics, and it surprised me at the strength of the plot despite many potential difficulties due to it attacking controversial issues. Politics is rarely engaging with the public, specially shown in Britain nowadays when the ruling class are stereotypically from Eton - so haughty and above the common man. Despite this, Mr Smith Goes to Washington doesn't give you much faith in the government either. Instead it reveals the truth about Capitalism and democracy. With corrupt business owners, infiltration of blackmail and injustice is all too easy.

In my dreams I'm a Marxist and I'm sure that many people are like this too (a fair, equal society - what more could you want?), but unfortunately Mr Marx was dreaming too.

James Stewart (probably one of the nicest guys in film) plays naive rookie to the American senate, Chief of the Boy Scouts; Jefferson Smith; a new senator hand picked by the governor in the hope that he is too clueless to realise he is being used.

Already there is scheming, blackmail, puppeteering that allegedly goes on behind the facade of true democracy. America labelled themselves the 'Leaders of the Free World'. Or rather should they be, as described in Mr Smith Goes To Washington, 'Leaders of the crazed Capitalist world dominated by 'fat cat' businessmen who dictate politics for personal profit?'

As a film, it is poignant and beautifully filmed. Strangely it advertises 'old America' when Jeff Smith is drooling like an excited schoolboy at the legendary, monuments standing resolute in the city. Smith escapes to glimpse the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Smithsonian. The influential ex-president towers over mortals like a god on Mount Olympus; sitting, pondering, surveying the America that he has helped shaped.

The entertainment value is high as the film engages with all types of viewers so it is universally understood. There are sweet moments of galavanting boy scouts admirably striving to save their hero Jeff from the political machine of the businessman named Taylor. The characters are well developed and relationships are heartwarming because you know in the end humans do have compassion :).

We all end up loving Jeff Smith - the archetypal American hero (before the days of Top Gun though). We admire his motivation to follow through with his plan defeat the 'Taylors' of today. Plus, his determination to uphold proceedings of the senate just so he could triumph, whilst securing friendship along the way.

It is a film filled with food for thought.

 *****