Maxflier

The DVDTalk Criterion Film Club selection for the first half of February was chosen by Tim Tucker:


Magnificent Obsession 1954

Synopsis:

Tim Tucker

Since I was the one who chose this, I better start the discussion.

I'm working my way through the set this week, so I'll chime in with my thoughts from time to time.

The first thing that strike me is the religious philosophy underlying the film -- that a person will be rewarded on Earth by performing selfless deeds in secret. This is a quite bizarre (and probably peculiarly American) variation on the orthodox Christian belief that rewards are received in the next life for your good works in this one, and while you may benefit from them here, there is no guarantee that you will.

Trevor

Next to 'tearjerker' in the dictionary you can find a picture of this film. A little heavy handed in that regard maybe, but definitely quite emotive. It hits all the right buttons, and while slightly predictable, makes me care about the characters and their outcomes.

The fully loaded Criterion 2 disc edition is fantastic, with not only a great transfer, but plentiful supplements, including the 1935 version of the film, if you can call it a supplement. This is more of a triple feature actually, containing two fine versions of the film, and a nice German documentary on Sirk.

The 1935 version, which I also really enjoyed, has a much different tone. while the same story almost word-for-word in places, it is much lighter. I'll likely not watch it again, as long as I have the much richer 1954 version available.