Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Bambi B (A) on October 30, 2008 at 08:01:04

In Reply to: RE: Ace In The Hole (1951) posted by mishmashmusic on October 30, 2008 at 07:20:41

mishmashmusic,

I'm in complete agreement concerning "Ace in the Hole".

Though "Ace in the Hole" does make good points about the media's ability to manufacture and manipulate news- and this case manufacture a tragedy, I think you've hit on the perfect descriptive word of "caricature". It is a bit disappointing as the theme is an important one and Billy Wilder is usually not so ham-fisted. There's a scene in which Douglas rants to co-workers on the small N.M newspaper to where he feels banished about getting out and up to the Big Stories which I found two dimensional backstory. Also, that Douglas makes the decision about drilling to the cave in a three minute conversation that delays the rescue is annoyingly unplausible- which is key -even then there would have been official control of events.

- As you say, though, it's a remarkable movie in that it demonstrates how little things have changed in 50 years, the sensationalism, the carnival atmosphere, the maneuvering. The story might have been much improved if we knew more and ther3efore cared about the victim, he was made too impersonal.

There is a newer movie with a similar theme- "Mad City" (late 90's?)in which a reporter Dustin Hoffman urges angry museum security guard John Travolta to extend and dramatize a hostage taking event.

There are so many movies about the media, but better movies on manufacturing/ manipulating news would be "Meet John Doe", "His Girl Friday", "Wag the Dog", "Sweet Smell of Success", and perhaps we could even include "It Happened One Night".

Still, despite the lack of subtlety, "Ace in the Hole" is worth watching for Douglas' acting and Wilder's direction.

Cheers,

Bambi B