Perfectly adorable
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
View MoreAll of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
View MoreOne of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.
View MoreYou could make millions in an auction of the costumes and props for this oh so silly British farce that is overloaded with everything but plot and substance. It's one of those 1960's acid stained comedies where bored brazier manufacturer's wife Shirley MacLaine takes a lover, hides him in her attic(above the marital bed it seems) and has all sorts of strange surrealistic fantasies to comment on her strange situation. When husband Richard Attenborough has a sudden health crisis, her fantasies change to seeing him get better, thus neglecting her hidden stud (James Booth).Made around the time that various popular actresses such as Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor and Rosalind Russell took on roles that made them seem like drag queens, MacLaine took on several of them. From 1964's "What a Way to Go!" through this four years later, she really had only one hit ("Gambit") with the remainder getting more and more outrageous. There's no real sense of direction except just to keep getting sillier with each fantasy and costume change, basically turning Shirley into Liberace without a piano. Top that off with balloon like dummy dolls modeling braziers pulling people up for a mad, mad, mad world type final, and you've got Shirley MacLaine's real boobie prize. If this is what an acid trip looks like, keep me sober!
View MoreWho knew you could have so much fun making Bustenhalter's (Bra's)<only word I know in german that I can also spell so I was aching to use it>. This movie is so sweet. The plot is totally odd having a sort of Casino Royale weird off beat flavor to it. This is the ultimate in a quirky Addam's Family gone oh so British yet bonkers kind of movie. I think the MUSIC in The Bliss of Mrs Blossom movie rocks. Well Lets say it ROCKS only if you like frightfully odd music but its wild. The ending is a real tear jerker as things go full circle. The Psychodelic influences of the time were celearly in evidence throught this movie in the fast pace of the cutting and all sorts of weird camera angle and, slow motion shots did give on a disconcerted feeling as if one might well be tripping out.I love this movie with all the talk and, visuals of bra's and, ladies ever wearing bra's it never got crude or dead common. The movie is tasteful from beginning to end... Back in 1968 when the world was full of industrial strength prudes this movie might have been labeled a bit blue but in our more enlightened Millennium this is just tame good nature fun. This is a movie for onle and, all.If you like weird off beat comedy enough you owe yourself a look at this one. Oh and, when you see the movie say hi to Binky for me! I think the high moral water mark in this movie is hit when Mr. Blossom suggests that all man's wars were not the result of his willingness to follow his countries flag into battle... Insteed Man was really Following the Brazaire which you know just might be true . hmmmmm :)
View MoreThis movie is completely charming. I've never seen a more wonderful Shirley MacLaine. I fell in love with her. If you liked the Austin Powers films, then you will especially enjoy the costumes and decor of this movie. The artworks that Mrs. Blossom creates are terrific. With the recent public appearance of the polyamory community, it's apparent that the idea of being in love and devoted to two people, and being "faithful" to them both, is still relevant. As a small, funny movie, it still asks some good questions about the nature of relationships and fidelity. Bravo.
View MoreI teach a high-school Film History class and use this movie to give the students a real taste of the 60's. London is the setting for this film, and London was the THE happening place in 1968. The Art Direction is superb. Every scene gives a visual clue to the styles and sensibilities of that "mod" generation. The costumes designed by the famous Zandra Rhodes were on the cutting edge for their time. I'd kill for one of those dresses today. The plot is silly,sweet and no great shakes, but this film captures the spirit of the time better than any I've seen. I waited for 25 years for this movie to come out on video, and finally received it from my husband on our 25th wedding anniversary. I believe some scenes were cut for the video, but it still remains our all-time favorite movie, if only for the nostalgia it evokes. My students LOVE it!!
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