HE SAID
Based on the novel by Richard Condon, The Manchurian Candidate was first brought to the big screen in 1962 by director John Frankenheimer. The film is a political tale that revolves around the ambitions of the Iselin family - an ultra conservative husband and wife duo (James Gregory and Angela Lansbury) - who strive for political power. Their son (stepson to Mr. Iselin), Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey), and his Korean War infantry are captured and brainwashed by Communists. Upon their return to the States, the infantrymen explain their disappearance with a fictitious tale, preprogrammed by the Communists, of battle field heroics that earns Raymond the Medal of Honor. But when some of Raymond's company (most notably Major Bennett Marco, played by Frank Sinatra) begin having recurring dreams about the brainwashing process, it becomes clear that Raymond is an unwilling pawn of the Communists. Marco must somehow make the military believe his story and determine the intent behind Raymond's subconscious Communist agenda.
This film was admitted into the National Film Archive in 1994 for having "cultural significance." I'm not sure why it didn't happen sooner. The Manchurian Candidate is just as poignant today as it must have been when it was released during the peak of the Cuban Missile Crisis and age of McCarthyism. The plot is engaging and well told. Those familiar with the source work say that the movie follows very closely to Condon's original novel, even to the extent that entire conversations are lifted verbatim from the text...a formula Hollywood rarely follows these days, as most new releases sourced from novels tend to be "based on" or "adapted from" the source material and usually provoke criticism from disappointed fans. Point in case: The Manchurian Candidate was remade in 2004, and many of the characters' roles were condensed or completely reimagined, though in my opinion the re-make was also a very entertaining film.
A few mis-steps worth mentioning in Frankenheimer's original film: Frank Sinatra was strong in a leading role, at least as far as the acting was concerned. But even though his character of Major Marco was necessary to drive the plot, it seemed a bit overblown...as if many scenes were just "face-time" for Sinatra. It is interesting to note that his name appears at the top of any casting list you may see, including the original movie posters, but that his character is very much secondary to those portrayed by Laurence Harvey and Angela Lansbury and should be viewed more as a supporting character rather than a lead. Also, Sinatra's love interest in the film, Eugenie Chaney (Janet Leigh), seemed totally out of place and unnecessary, yet the actress receives the same overblown billing as Sinatra.
Also, the "dream" sequences, which show the infantry men under Communist control, seem to drag out longer than necessary. After the first time, we get the idea, but it seems that the director is uncertain of our ability to understand this easy-to-grasp, yet significant, element of the story line and keeps coming back in an attempt drive the point home. Unfortunately, it has the opposite effect, at points making the plot unnecessarily confusing.
He Said: This is a must see. The Manchurian Candidate is a true classic that is relevant even in today's world. Some of the plot element were unnecessarily revisited over and over, as if the Frankenheimer doesn't trust the audience to "get it", but that can be forgiven. The strengths of this film far out way the weaknesses.
SHE SAID
Plot Summary: Alice in Wonderland meets Robert Ludlum
The Eskimo picked The Manchurian Candidate as his next film pick right before the elections, and it is a classic political thriller (perhaps the classic political thriller even). Its basic premise has become such an ideological mainstay that there is even a "Manchurian Candidate" attack in politics: you are the candidate people know, while your opponent is not who he seems to be. (Remember the mass Obama emails?) But the movie also explores bigger themes beyond politics and McCarthyism and brainwashing.
The writing is impeccable. The acting is excellent (especially Angela Lansbury). But what stayed with me most about the film was the cinematography. John Frankenheimer's direction was reminiscent of Citizen Kane to me - with every second of every shot meaning something. (This adds to the denseness of the film though. You feel while watching it that if you look away even for a second that you'll miss something - and you're right.) Even the Queen of Diamonds had a "Rosebud" feel to it, tying the stories together throughout.
I found it funny that Frankenheimer became well known for a shot of Sinatra that was slightly out of focus. It became a kind of signature for him - and it was all an accident, he said, not an example of his innovative camera techniques. That shot just happened to be the best take, so he used it. Regardless, the camera work made me long for a return to an era where a shot - be it a slow fade or a long reach - meant something.
My one complaint about the movie? The sweat. Such fake, glistening sweat is generally reserved only for movies based in Mississippi (where we KNOW sweat) in current times, and I was confused at its purpose. It was so noticeable as to be almost comical in certain scenes and just made no sense.
She Said: Watch it. But be prepared to concentrate when you do.
THEY SAID
After reading each other's reviews, The Eskimo and Shawn always discuss the reviews (and the film, too, of course). Listen to the Manchurian Candidate audio commentary here or in the player below. (And find out which film Shawn picked to review next.)
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