Whisky Galore - Alexander Mackendrick (1949)

Innocent comedy about alcoholism. That's about it. It's non-pretentious, simple humour. It borders the stereotypes sometimes but it's a nice film for rainy days. Not as good and entertaining as The Ladykillers, but still good fun. Not much to say about the technicalities.

This one doesn't have a remake. Could it be remade? Maybe. Perhaps an update in the photography and the way the characters are presented would be nice (without making it as bad as the new version of True Grit looks).


Whisky Galore

The Ladykillers - Alexander Mackendrick (1955)

My first Ealing Comedy ever. I should be embarrased. 

I quite enjoyed it. I like simple small films and this is a simple black comedy. The humour is so... natural, not forced at all. That's when it works best. Sometimes it seems excess of jokes or acting will make it funnier, and no, it won't. This film proves that less is more if over fifty years later it still works. 

The best thing about it is definitely the performances, from the old lady to the whole bunch. 

I can understand why the Coen brothers will want to remake it. I can understand why they would be interested but can't understand why anyone might think it needs to be remade or it might work in any other way than the original. Just by looking at the cast you know it won't work, you know it will be one of those trying-to-be-funny comedies... it just sounds wrong. 

Great films that still work as well as contemporary films do shouldn't be remade.

The Ladykillers (1955)