My main reason for seeing 'Topper' was Cary Grant, have always liked him a lot and he was one of his generation's most re-watchable actors because of his smooth charm and elegance, also one of the best at urbane. The rest of the cast, with other leads being Constance Bennett and Roland Young and with the likes of Eugene Pallette, Billie Burke and Alan Mowbray in support, are also talented. Like supernatural film and screwball comedies, and films that balance both really perks interest.
'Topper' immediately perked interest with so much going for it. Watching it, it didn't leave me disappointed at all and of the three 'Topper' films it is the best. Had no doubt it would be at least an enjoyable film and 'Topper' turned out to be more than that, found it to be great and a standout recent first time viewing. There will be debate as to whether it has held up well, to me it has and surprisingly so and anybody who loves any of the above actors and when the supernatural and screwball comedies are balanced together are likely to really like it though of course it is all dependent on taste.
Some of the pace is a little on the slow side, but there is very little wrong with 'Topper' in my view.
Grant is typically elegant and even if he is a little underused the role plays to his strengths and allows his sophisticated comic timing and intensity to come through. Even better is Bennett, for me this is one of her best performances and she was clearly having a lot of fun in her part, she also looks divine. Young is a very likeable lead, this is hardly a case of the two biggest stars in high billing upstaging the lead when he holds his own. Of the supporting cast, all great, a very funny Pallette is the standout. The direction is not heavy-handed and keeps things light without sugar-coating.
It is a great looking film, with sumptuous art direction and it is just amazing at how good the special effects look. Ones that were done long before effects technology significantly advanced in terms of expense and such yet manage to look a lot better and have more soul than most from today. It's beautifully shot too, some of the camera angles and such being surprisingly imaginative which stops things from becoming stage bound. The film's whimsical tone is matched in the music.
As for the script, it has elegant sophistication and a playful wit which is what screwball comedy in my mind should be like. The story is kept simple and doesn't try to be too ambitious, a good thing, but it's generally lively and has a real charm and sometimes eeriness.
On the whole, great. 9/10
'Topper' immediately perked interest with so much going for it. Watching it, it didn't leave me disappointed at all and of the three 'Topper' films it is the best. Had no doubt it would be at least an enjoyable film and 'Topper' turned out to be more than that, found it to be great and a standout recent first time viewing. There will be debate as to whether it has held up well, to me it has and surprisingly so and anybody who loves any of the above actors and when the supernatural and screwball comedies are balanced together are likely to really like it though of course it is all dependent on taste.
Some of the pace is a little on the slow side, but there is very little wrong with 'Topper' in my view.
Grant is typically elegant and even if he is a little underused the role plays to his strengths and allows his sophisticated comic timing and intensity to come through. Even better is Bennett, for me this is one of her best performances and she was clearly having a lot of fun in her part, she also looks divine. Young is a very likeable lead, this is hardly a case of the two biggest stars in high billing upstaging the lead when he holds his own. Of the supporting cast, all great, a very funny Pallette is the standout. The direction is not heavy-handed and keeps things light without sugar-coating.
It is a great looking film, with sumptuous art direction and it is just amazing at how good the special effects look. Ones that were done long before effects technology significantly advanced in terms of expense and such yet manage to look a lot better and have more soul than most from today. It's beautifully shot too, some of the camera angles and such being surprisingly imaginative which stops things from becoming stage bound. The film's whimsical tone is matched in the music.
As for the script, it has elegant sophistication and a playful wit which is what screwball comedy in my mind should be like. The story is kept simple and doesn't try to be too ambitious, a good thing, but it's generally lively and has a real charm and sometimes eeriness.
On the whole, great. 9/10