Two Films

And that is it - just about the only thing that A Night in Casablanca and The Power of the Dog have in common is that they are both films. The first is anarchic, ragged and comfortingly predictable, The second is beautiful and truly disquieting. I watched them on consecutive days and it really does make you supicious of a criticism that attempts to lump them together. However, I know that is what you want me to do!

A Night in Casablanca is later MGM Marx Brothers. The plot is slight and full of holes, serving merely to get us from one classic comedic set-piece to another. It is Marx Brothers by numbers but  still very much worth viewing. 67/100.

The Power of the Dog is an altogether different beast. This movie comes with the lazy label 'revisionist western' but that doesn't tell you the half of it. It is a fantastically structured and beautifully filmed text. Normally I would be tempted to reveal at least some of the plot but not this time. You must see this (it is currently available on iPlayer) and prepare yourself for a heart-rending finale. Chock-full of great performances, pour yourself a nice red and settle down in a darkened room with a large screen and just let it seep into your soul. 89/100.