You can understand what ‘capraesque’ means very well in this optimistic comedy by Frank Capra from 1936, when a small-town citizen (Gary Cooper) inherits 40 million dollars and has to stand up to capitalists and city dwellers. Charming contemporaries who try to deceive and rob him and have him committed to an institution. Frank Capra tells this story seriously and sincerely. There is no need for artificial laughter; instead, we empathise with the hero. That's what ‘capraesque’ means. It all starts with a car accident. Deeds, who has always wanted to rescue a woman in distress, saves HER and falls in love at first sight. Unfortunately, he has no idea that his beloved is actually the reporter Louise ‘Babe’ Bennett (Jean Arthur)... She writes an article about Deeds that makes his life difficult and makes him look ridiculous. Deeds has a big, far too big heart. He wants to help people. He is constantly thinking about using his money for this purpose. He changes other people's lives (because we are in the middle of the Great Depression), but his own life also changes. He does what makes him happy. And Deeds changes our lives too! Ultimately, he convinces us that we are quite similar to him. He wants us to lead colourful, creative lives full of surprises – just like him – and the best way to do that is to think of other people.
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen