David Thompson Movies

A woman who wants to get rid of her husband has second thoughts when he's suddenly not the man he once was in this romantic comedy shot in Ireland. Harry McKee (Brendan Gleeson) is the host of a long-running television series called "What's Cooking?" in which he shares recipes with celebrity guests. Harry is also an alcoholic, and chronically unfaithful to his wife Ruth (Amanda Donohoe), which has earned him a certain amount of bad publicity over the years. Ruth decides she's had enough of Harry's unreliability and demands a divorce, which Harry is in no position to contest. But the day before their divorce is to be declared final, Harry is attacked by muggers; his injuries leave him severely disoriented, and as a result he humiliates a powerful politician (James Nesbitt) on the air before passing out and falling into a coma. A week later, Harry regains consciousness, but something has happened to his memory -- he can't recall anything that has happened in the past 25 years, and he's convinced that he is only 18 years old. Ruth discovers her husband is now literally a different person, and with a little prodding she's able to re-educate Harry into a sweet-tempered and monogamous teetotaler. Harry isn't able to leave his past entirely behind, however; even if he can't remember it, the politician he embarrassed is eager to get revenge. Wild About Harry also features George Wendt and Adrian Dunbar. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This documentary captures rhythms in the life and career of famed cinema choreographer Busby Berkeley (1895-1976). In the late '20s, Berkeley's work on Broadway led Eddie Cantor to recommend him to producer Sam Goldwyn for the film version of the 1930 Whoopee! (remade in 1944 as Up in Arms). After 42nd Street (1933), Berkeley's reputation in Hollywood was established. Reading from interviews by Dave Martin and critic Tony Thomas, Larry Robinson provides the voice of Berkeley. The hour-long profile intercuts interviews with Thomas, Esther Williams, director Kenneth Anger, film historian Richard Barrios, critic J. Hoberman, and others. After the December 1997 premiere of this documentary on the BBC, a re-edited version (eliminating rare footage of Florenz Zeigfeld) premiered in the U.S. on January 26, 1998 on Turner Classic Movies. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

John Ruane directed this Australian romantic comedy in which lonely Alice (Miranda Otto), seeking her long-lost father, begins working in the same dead-letter office that keeps returning her letters to him. The office is run by a political refugee from Chile, Frank (George DelHoyo), and Alice and Frank eventually become a twosome amid the undelivered mail. Barry Otto, Miranda Otto's father, makes a brief appearance. Shown at 1998 film festivals in Brisbane and Melbourne. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

This is a documentary film about the work of a legendary producer of musicals. After winning his laurels in 1939 as the assistant producer of The Wizard of Oz, MGM set up a whole studio for Arthur Freed. He began his career as a singer/songwriter and as an actor, (he appeared with the Marx Brothers on stage before World War I). He wrote numerous ballads which have now become part of the "standard" repertoire, including the title songs for his productions Singin' in the Rain, and Pagan Love Song. Anybody who was anybody in musicals from 1939 to 1960 worked with him. Among the approximately 40 films he produced were the Oscar-winning An American in Paris, and Gigi. This documentary features interviews with some of the performers who worked in his studio, such as Mickey Rooney and Cyd Charisse, and includes all the footage available of the reclusive Freed. Highlights of the film include letter-boxed excerpts from his films, and a computer-graphics assisted explanation of how Fred Astaire's floor-to-ceiling dance in Royal Wedding was made. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

From the Portrait of an Artist series comes a three-part program reappraising the work of Italian painter and architect Raphael. Part one of the program, The Apprentice Years examines Raphael's life and work up to the age of 25. It was during this period that the Renaissance artist developed his craft under the influence of such masters as Leonardo and Michelangelo. Raphael is considered the central painter of the High Renaissance. This video explores the qualities embodied in Raphael's piece Madonna and Child. It was filmed on-location in places where the artist lived and worked, and includes the beautiful landscapes and historic architecture of Urbino, Perugia, Rome, and Florence. David Thompson, former art critic for the London Times, wrote and narrated the program. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide

From the Portrait of an Artist series comes a three-part program reappraising the work of Italian painter and architect Raphael. Raphael was one of the leading artists of the Italian Renaissance whose work, along with that of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and others, established a turning point in Western Civilization. For four centuries, "The Divine Raphael" was considered the greatest painter of all time. He is still considered the most widely influential artist in history. Part three of the series, Legend and Legacy, explores the far-reaching effect of this master's contributions to culture. This program examines art from throughout Europe, noting the inspirational force of Raphael's work on artists and designers such as Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt, Renoir, Picasso, and others. David Thompson, former art critic for the London Times, wrote and narrated the program. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide

Review the bridge paintings of Monet, and discover how they changed. ~ All Movie Guide

Someone seeing a Bridget Riley painting for the first time might be puzzled by the deceptive simplicity of her works. Using the most minimal of elements -- lines, squares, bands of color -- Riley's work offers a challenge to the viewer. Her technique involves an interaction between these elements and their perception by the human eye. Her early works from the '60s fell into the op art category, and the development of her art continues. In Bridget Riley, the British artist is seen at work, and the influences on her art are discussed. She has found the works of Seurat, Monet, and Van Gogh to be particularly inspiring. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide