1958's Bonjour Tristesse translates as "Hello, sadness," an odd title for a film set during summertime in the French Riviera. Good acting from Jean Seberg, Deborah Kerr and David Niven meets quality directing from the big O.
The title's dolor is juxtaposed against the summery south of France. Black clothes and heavy eye shadow might have been a nice touch, although leaning a bit heavily into Goth. There may be sadness, but it is summertime, after all. I mean, we haven't yet put away the white slacks and sundresses for the season. Could someone open another bottle of rosé I could cry into?
The setting screams for a rosé from Provence. Chateau de Peyrassol Côtes de Provence Rosé - They've been harvesting grapes in this section of Provence since 1256. That's the year, not the time of day. This antidote to sadness will set you back a paltry $24.
A hundred lawyers at the bottom of the ocean is said to be the definition of "a good start." Not that I have anything against lawyers. It's always good to have one on your side, especially if a different one is coming for you.
1959's Anatomy of a Murder finds Mr. Preminger at the helm of a courtroom drama which required him to go to court. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley banned the film for language he considered to be obscene. Otto sued, and hizzoner's censorship was overturned. The film gets a high rating from the American Bar Association as one of the best courtroom dramas ever made. Well, if my lawyer likes it, it must be good.
The story was "ripped from the headlines," based on a real-life murder trial in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where the movie was shot. A local lawyer beats a murder charge against his client with a twist on the insanity plea, but there are plenty more twists as the trial unfolds. Check out Duke Ellington's role in the movie, no doubt taking a break from his work in creating the score for the film.
We need a killer wine for Anatomy. Come and gitcha red hots, right here. Napa Valley's Clif Family Winery has Kit's Killer Cab. It's actually Cabernet and Petite Sirah, so more's the better. It's an $85 wine from the people who bring you those Clif Bars you'll find if you scrounge around in your backpack.
The Man with the Golden Arm gave us Frank Sinatra as a 1955 drug addict. It always seems unusual, that Sinatra later became so careful of his image, and here he is shooting up. To his credit, the character is trying to go straight. Upon his release from prison, he tries to get a job as a drummer. Oh, that should help him stay on the straight and narrow path. Hanging around with musicians is not one of the twelve steps.
Just when you think things might work out, here comes his old dealer. Aaaah, crap. Fix me. The company one keeps is the most important thing about changing those bad habits. Keep that in mind when you try to kick that morphine addiction.
L'Arge d'Or Wines of California's Central Coast combines the notion of a golden age with that of a big door. You can work on that while I drink up their Steakhouse Smoothy #1, a $45 blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, and Grenache.
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