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Recently watched the Criterion DVD release of this Billy Wilder film noir flick, starring Kirk Douglas. The story revolves around Douglas' character, a once big time newspaper reporter who ends up at a small time Albuquerque newspaper. He finds out about a man trapped in a cave and turns the story into a national sensation, trying to use the story and manipulate events to advance his career. Certainly a damning view of the power of the press to influence events in modern times, which rings even truer 50+ years later.The film is well done (we are talking Billy Wilder here), but I couldn't help but feel that Douglas' acting was a little over the top. It almost felt like a caricature, never quite connected with me, especially the love-hate relationship with the female lead, played by Jan Sterling.
Any other thoughts on this one?
Edits: 10/30/08Follow Ups:
I'm going to make the drive to see it, especially since the not-out-on DVD of Antonioni's, "Zabriskie Point" is playing around the same time.
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Funny you mention that one, as I just watched it not long ago... Jealous of you seeing it on big screen, if only for the final explosion sequence.
I basically liked it and how it showed the exploitation. It was an early look at media hype and "the baby in the well" if you will. In looking at some of the over dramatization I think one needs to remember the period. Other than that all I can say is....."Neil, your room's on fire"! Thanks for the Young Ones pic.
ET
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
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