Mister RobertsThis was a recommendation from my wife. Seeing on the library shelf, I picked it up and we watched it the same day. Considering that she was ten when she originally saw it, she was surprised to find it was not the heavy drama she remembered it as, but a light comedy about a cargo ship that never sees action, except when they pull into port for leave. She thought it would be up my alley, but it really wasn’t. Oh well, it’s always good to try new things.
Technical—3/5 Pretty standard stuff from films of the era. Nothing special. But what really stands out is the awful overly-dramatic music. More than distracting, it completely takes away from the charm of the film.
Interest—3/5—Fun, but not laugh out loud.
Tension—2/5—Not really any tension. I knew what would happen at the end.
Emotional—2/5—Not much to be emotional about. They aimed for the heart-strings at the end, but missed.
Characters—4/5—The greatness of this film lies in the performances of the three main characters—Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon and William Powell. You could believe everything they say. Often, like in Some Like It Hot, Lemmon is too excitable, but here he plays it smooth and perfect. Cagney is clearly in it for a good time, and he could have done it like a Captain Bligh, but he ends up acting like a buffoon. Sure, he’s having a good time, but not really believable.
Theme—4/5—Greatness in overcoming boredom.
Ethics—4/5—Certainly some questionable acts, but Mister Roberts compassion and readiness to sacrifice his desires for the well being of others is marvelous.
Personal—3/5—I’d like to have the chance to be like Mister Roberts someday. But not in the Navy, that’s for sure.
Just a lark with a couple great performances. 3.5/5
1. In America
2. Princess Mononoke
3. The Dark Knight
4. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
5. Tideland
6. The Brothers Bloom
7. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
8. The Son (2003)
9. Raising Arizona
10. Adaptation
11. Three Kings
12. Mister Roberts