<< Front page Arts November 21, 2003

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Charade

Charade, starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, is a quirky yet ultimately successful film that combines smart comic dialogue, romance and suspense with a freshness unusual for its time.

With its zany and unpredictable plot, Charade has somewhat of a whirlwind effect on the viewer. Hepburn plays Reggie Lambert, wife of a cold and distant but wealthy husband who turns up dead before she can get a chance to divorce him. His death unearths his shady connection to the Paris underworld and thrusts Reggie into an adventure of secret identities and dangerous connections.
Fortunately, Peter (Cary Grant) is there to help her out, although his identity turns out to be just as much of a mystery as her husband’s. The conclusion follows a generally fast-paced buildup and is a satisfying end to a thoroughly satisfying film.

Hepburn is particularly witty in this film, while Grant is quirkily charming yet manly. The romance between their characters is enigmatically turbulent. Charade’s dialogue can be trite at times, though the screwball humor allows for an abundance of fantastic one-liners.

Charade is as a very visually oriented movie, which is not surprising given the factors of Hepburn, her wardrobe, and the setting- Paris. Some interesting cinematography adds to the quirkiness of the film with innovative camera angles and perspectives.

Charade is truly a classic film with universal appeal, an exciting joyride through a world of spies and gangsters with snappy dialogue. In an era known for its cookie-cutter cinema, Charade stands out as an idiosyncratic cross-genre film. Fans of Hepburn and Grant are no doubt already fans of this movie, but no one should miss a chance to watch these two legends in perhaps the most entertaining performances of their careers.

West Lecture Hall, Science Center. Nov. 21 at 7p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. $1 students.

Sarah Carsman

Tallis at Finney

The Tallis Scholars will perform in Oberlin College’s Finney Chapel on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

“Anyone familiar with Renaissance music knows that this group has attained superstardom,” The Boston Globe said of the Scholars and their 30-year history.
The ensemble was found in 1973 by director Peter Philips. Since then their name has often been connected to the lead role they play in Renaissance sacred music. In 1994 they performed in the ceremony that marked the restoration of Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. In 1998 they took part in unique 25th Anniversary concert in London’s National Gallery, premiering John Tavener work written for the group. The concert was narrated by Sting. In 2000 they performed with Sir Paul McCartney.

The Arts Recital Series is sponsored by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music with additional support from the Friends of the Artists Recital Series.

Finney. Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. $7 students, $16 senior citizens/educators/OCID, $20 public. Tickets available through CTS and at the door.

Milena Evtimova

   

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