A Walk on the Noir Side

[MissGoddess]

> Thanks for the link Wendy. I'll try to get it this weekend and maybe I'll have something to add. (So much has been said I can't imagine what but maybe...)

Of course there will be something to add: your opinion. And that's what we care about.

[CineMaven]

By the by Frank, did you check out Steve Hayes' review of "SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS"...

 

No, I didn't. I'm just not a fan of his.

 

Okay.

 

I love the direction, look (James Wong Howe), and music (Elmer Bernstein). What I find fascinating is that the film is mostly a scenario more so than a story, yet it's totally engrossing.

 

What is your difference between 'scenario' and 'story'?

 

We are being led to believe that the film is all about J.J. (the king) and we are learning about the "king" through Sidney, the "jester." Since it's his court, this makes it his story. But directors can be sneaky. Mackendrick messes with us and reveals the real focus at the very end. The king and jester are along for the ride, too. Susie is the one with the power and Mackendrick makes it a point to show us she's the one with the power.

 

I really do see what you're saying Grimesy. Could it be six of one, half dozen of the other? I'm a visual person...and your screen caps make me weak at the knees. You do make a good case. What can I do about my innards though? I find Susie and Dallas to be the catalyst for J.J.'s & Sidney's shenanigans, but I don?t feel her being the focus of "SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS." But hey, may I meet you half way? Susie does have power of J.J. all along. "Don't ever tell anyone Susie how I?m tied to your apron strings." She was J.J.'s Achilles Heel. I love sneaky directors. I love when they bury the lead and if I can figure it out, I figure...I'm a smart cookie. (Fat free and arsenic-free folks). I love your King and jester metaphor.

 

Take "The Searchers." The story is about finding Debbie (Natalie Wood) but the director's final shot tells us the focus of the story was actually Ethan (John Wayne) and finding himself. If John Ford closed on a shot of Ethan celebrating with the family, then the story would have been about finding Debbie.

 

Would you say that whoever gets the LAST shot of the movie is what the movie is about?

 

I had seen ?Sweet Smell of Success? a couple times prior to my recent viewing and I loved it for the viper-tongued powerplay between J.J. and Sidney. I love how "big" they are. On this latest viewing, I actually noticed the women and how they were painted.

 

I've seen the film several times myself. But I admit, having skimmed a little of your discussion before I watched it this time made me more aware of the women. And they were fabulous. I?ve been so enamored of the "bigness" as you say of J.J. and Sidney for many viewings.

 

I was completely blind to them in the past because they were very, very "quiet" (background) compared to the "loud" men (foreground). I finally "heard" them this time. It made me realize that these "big" men turned very "small" by film's end. It's fascinating.

 

It's fascinating to me to see a movie several times...and then see it that one more time...to read that one more opinion and discover something new. Eureka!

 

I agree with Miss G. and JackaaaAaaay, that your comparison to "THE LITTLE FOXES" is very astute. But I think I'm attracted to BIG and you can't get any bigger than Bette. Isn't that a mark of a good movie...that there are many stories to it...many layers. Good films are a many layered thing.

 

J.J. is a despot. He's not only in love with himself, he's in love with having control over people. The only problem is that he cannot control his younger sister.

 

...And he cannot control his feelings for her either.

 

And what's funny is that I'm not that big on Sidney but I like Harry, yet they play rather similar characters. It must be the actors and the kind of weasels they are playing.

 

Riddle me this Grimesy, if you would...why do you like Harry over Sidney?

 

My favorite scene in the film was Rita (Barbara Nichols) being pressured into spending the night with Otis (David White). I really felt for her. She was so excited to see Sidney. She wants his love so badly. And what does she get in return? She's to sleep with a guy at Sidney's begging! Unreal.

 

My favorite scene features Lurene Tuttle. I liked how the husband came clean. He took all the power away from the blackmailer. He was the anti-J.J.. Of course he had to get caught to confess ...but he did confess. And you should see Sidney's face.

 

********

 

CinemAva, let me add my humble compliments to one of your most enjoyable posts. Wow! You really described that sweet odor to a "T". :-)

 

Miss Goddess...I thank you.

 

This paragraph had me rolling...

 

Laughter is my greatest compliment.

 

The main difference between "Harry" and "Sydney" as you so colorfully described it, is sex appeal. Widmark really has none (as himself in an interview I found him sexy, though) and though Curtis is not my style, I won't deny he has plenty of catnip for the ladies. In fact, I don't think he'd have had a career without it.

 

Tony Curtis is not your type? Woweee. But no career without those looks? Are we being really fair. I mean, guys might say the same thing about a coupla of our favorite actresses. What am I saying? Why am I trying to be so politically correct. Girl, you know you?re right. Sorry 'Tone. (To think how close we actually came to meeting him, remember? :-( Darn it! )

 

To Grimesy: I have a theory. you like your harry fabian more than sydney falco because... harry is a blonde.

 

OMG. Awmigawd!!

 

I really like ?Lured? more and more every time I see it. I think Lucy's stunning looking in it and as wild as it sounds, she's got real chemistry with George Sanders! (who is just as adorable as can be, playing a good guy for a change).

 

Miss G. I love the way you describe Lucy. I feel she sometimes gets short shrift because of her zany whining tv-persona. But she was really quite stunning looking especially in color. And she can deliver a line...my gawd can she deliver a line. I find Eve Arden is the pinnacle..but she didn?t have Lucy?s looks. Can you imagine working at a studio...and then OWNING it?

[Bronxgirl48]

> That is great! You are too funny! I appreciate the way that's worded, and especially the thought behind it. Thanks. :x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh thank you, Jackie. I think it's Tony and Burt's best work. So glad you provided the movie link on YouTube; I'm going to watch it again this weekend.

[rohanaka]

Don't want to interupt the Noir walk talk going on here (wish I was able to watch and chat too, but just not possible right now)

 

But I DID see that Ms Favell has reached quite a milestone.. and I thought some refreshments were in order!! (Congrats, little darlin'. Enjoy!) :-)

 

[CineMaven]

Oh thank you, Jackie. I think it's Tony and Burt's best work. So glad you provided the movie link on YouTube; I'm going to watch it again this weekend.

 

Uh-oh...batten down the hatches folks. J.J.'s secretary is on board.

[CineMaven]

"I do feel something unhealthy about JJ's control over his sister. I don't think he's aware of it, but the filmaker seems to want the audience to feel it and thereby make JJ even more evil in our eyes. I wonder about the backstory on this movie...i saw a documentary about it once but of course have forgotten everything. was there some malice behind its conception? it really seems like someone had huge problem with one or more of the columnists of the day to have created such a venal portrait. it feels personal. anyone know for sure?" - MISS GODDESS

 

I bought the DVD the other day to get my self ready for a success-full rambling. Looking at the supplements, one is done by Neal Gabler. He said Winchell had only one competitor...Ed Sullivan. And he said the producers would have done better to film Winchell's true life story which was much more interesting than the movie. Huh? Naaah.

 

Apparently while Winchell was married to his first wife, he was fooling around with another woman. It resulted in a pregnancy. He divorced his first wife (but never quite married the second). They had a daughter they named "Walda" and she grew into a real beauty. Winchell had unnatural feelings for his daughter.

 

She wants to pursue a career in show biz...changes her name to Tony Eden (after the British guy of fame at the time). A young man comes on the scene. (Not a musician like Dallas) but some bon vivant who had a scurrilous reputation around town. So of course, that's who --Walda--...I mean Tony, falls for.

 

Walter is furious. He believes this man is only interested in his daughter b'cuz of you her father is. He also believes his daughter would have to be clinically insane to fall for this really not good guy. So he and his second...uh...wife (?) kidnap their daughter and put her in a mental institution. She is released after a time, but Winchell is not finished with this --rival-- suitor. Not by a long shot.

 

Gabler says has the memory of an elephant when he seeks vengeance.

 

Winch enlists the aid of the F., the B., the I., to look into this guy. Come to find out this man hadn't paid $4,000 in taxes and they busted him on that charge. He was sent to prison. (I'm sorry I don't recall for how long...but I'll be looking at the DVD later after I finish exploring this new website). He truly realized then how long a reach Walter Winchell had. When the man was released from prison, Gabler said, he moved totally out of the United States to live in Israel.

 

Gabler said no newspaper in the country would touch this story; no columnist would tackle this story...except one.

 

Ed Sullivan.

 

Gabler said Winchell's career died a death of ten thousand cuts. And this movie is so inextricably linked with Winchell's image that it continues to tarnish Winchell's name.

_____

 

The supplement footage has a mini-doc on Mackendrick (American-born but Scots raised) and a doc on master cameraman James Wong Howe. That was fantastic to see him walk and talk and explain lighting and talk of his career: ("I worked with Mary Miles Minter...") He rolls off his tongue a litany of film directors he worked with. Staggering. Mackendrick filmed in NYC too. The whole package is great!

[JackFavell]

Ro, thanks for taking the time to send me those lovely deserts! your timing is great... my sweet tooth is on overdrive this week. Take care and know we miss you over here. If you feel like chiming in, do so ANY time at all. The conversation is always open. I know you'll see unique things that no one else has come up with.

 

 

 

 

 

[JackFavell]

My respect for Ed Sullivan just went up about ten notches. So no one would Winchell Winchell himself eh? I'm sure he wouldn't have hesitated to draw and quarter someone else in the same situation if he had the chance. Thanks for talking about the specifics of WInchell and this movie.

 

A few years ago, Stanley Tucci made a film which was ostensibly about Winchell, I'd love to find it and see his take on the man.

 

I see the story of *The Sweet Smell of Success* as the redemption of Sydney Falco. The funny thing is, it was a redemption not of his own choice, just like Harry Fabian's. It's a forcible intervention, a hand of fate kind of thing. He's slapped down by the gods because of his hubris. If your going to play with the big boys, you can't have a conscience. He's the one who changes. He forms a conscience. Susie doesn't change sides, Susie doesn't change her ideals, but Sydney does.

 

At the end of the film, he's on the opposite side of where he was at the beginning. He's now dropped out of the rat race... kind of interesting considering what was to happen in America in the years just after this movie was made. Sydney is going to do everything he can to make sure that JJ's way of "doing business" is wiped out. He's seen first hand it's huge destructive capabilities. All he ever wanted was to know JJ - he has always acted like he was JJ's best friend, in order to be closer to him. In the end, he gets his wish, he is the only one who really does know him, and it frightens,disgusts and turns him. It's an oddly prescient story that would have maybe been more popular in the 1960's. It could almost be seen as a generational story. The ideas presented in it are to me anyway, very eerily reminiscent of the 60's mentality, to go against the status quo, to forge an honest life from the lies that a previous generation has told itself in order to get ahead.

 

 

Edited by: JackFavell on Aug 7, 2011 1:04 PM

[CineMaven]

Uh-oh...

 

I see it differently. I can explain it later when I'm at a computer. But please do think of how you might cast this film today. It could be N.Y. or Hollywood. I will add my casting --couch-- decisions as well. Hmmm, how can l get Raoul Bova to fit in in this world...

 

Well I need to tell him something!

 

See who you can come up with, okay? I will too.

[JackFavell]

I am guessing you are going to say that Sydney is now just one of any number of guys who JJ slapped down.... that he is not redeemed at all, that he is just doomed to walk in the shadows looking for a handout forever. I can see it that way too, but nevertheless, I still think he is changed, even if it is for just that moment in time. He has seen too much, and is on the run after getting the ..... chastised out of him by Kello. He may revert back, but he can't ever forget what he has seen. That's what makes me think it's his story.

 

As for casting, I don't know that I could cast this movie now. I literally can't even imagine it, and the idea of doing a remake seems ridiculous to me, since it's pretty near perfect as it is. I'll give it a whirl, but my heart won't be in it.

[CineMaven]

Wow. Am I as predictable as all that? Holy cow. Ha. I'll give you my thoughts a little later.

 

Oh and If your heart's not in it, it's okay. Don't do the casting.

 

Edited by: CineMaven on Aug 7, 2011 8:34 PM...b'cuz typing with one finger on a small keyboard fast, makes for some mistakes.

[JackFavell]

Not you! It's more about my own thoughts on the subject.... I realized when I went back and read what I had written, that I was being a bit optimistic about Sydney's "new" outlook at the end of the movie.

[CineMaven]

My good friend "Meg Ramsey" has never heard of "SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS." She is visiting her mother down in ol' Virginny, and I asked her to run don't walk to the nearest video store and get that movie and watch it with her mom. She did. She just texted me her review:

 

"Yes, I did get "SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS." Great movie for sure! Although "NETWORK" to me is STILL cutting edge, the dialogue in "SUCCESS" is priceless and irreplaceable. Can't touch the banter between Lancaster and Curtis with a barbwire pole. Lancaster is absolutely steely and stoic with very little compromise while Curtis is a pretty oil slick just waiting to happen.

 

Still trying to get the residue off my eyes..."

[JackFavell]

Wow! What a great description! She turns a pretty phrase herself.

 

I am trying to figure out something about JJ, but I can't quite get to it...I;ve wanted to write about it for a few days, but I can't get to the kernel of my thoughts.

 

JJ talks down so cuttingly to everyone he knows.... hatefully..... even the Senator who is supposed to be his friend (just because they go way back?).... he says something like "my big toe would make a better president".

 

On the other hand, he is almost kindly to Kello...I wondered at this turnaround in JJ, but then he can't help rubbing it in that Kello owes him.... still, I thought I saw a gleam of admiration in JJ's eye. Kello at least, doesn't seem afraid of him.

 

JJ admits to Sydney that Susie is everything to him. He allows Sydney to sit at the table at 21, even though he told him not to bother him.....he makes him feel like dirt under his feet.... he wants to see how much Sydney loves him... how much Sydney will sweat for him... in order to make him do what he wants... but is there something more?

 

Sydney admits that years ago, JJ made him do something unspeakably vile....but we never learn what it is...

 

 

So what I am asking is, does JJ actually have any kindly feelings for anyone? Is his way of dealing with people just so abrasive that his kindly feelings for them are shown in hateful ways? Can he really be so monstrous that he needs no one, has NO friends at all? Except of course for his dear readers....

 

Susie is definitely his Achilles heel, so why would he tell Sydney that she is the only thing he cares about, exposing his own weakness, unless he actually liked Sydney? Is it that he doesn't see Sydney as strong enough to be a threat? Is that all?

 

Does he actually love these sycophants and scum who he makes run for him? Like he loves the dirty city? The more they suck up, the more he loves them? The dirtier things they do for him, the more he likes them? Or is it the opposite with Sydney? Sydney does say things to JJ that no one else can say. Help me figure this out. Anyone?

 

And if they are such scum, what does he think of himself, their ringleader? Does he love himself, or hate himself?

 

Edited by: JackFavell on Aug 7, 2011 9:20 PM

[CineMaven]

"I see the story of 'The Sweet Smell of Success' as the redemption of Sydney Falco. The funny thing is, it was a redemption not of his own choice, just like Harry Fabian's. It's a forcible intervention, a hand of fate kind of thing. He's slapped down by the gods because of his hubris. If your going to play with the big boys, you can't have a conscience. He's the one who changes. He forms a conscience. Susie doesn't change sides, Susie doesn't change her ideals, but Sydney does...."

 

First off, as usual, I like how you write and how you think and express those cinematic thoughts of yours.

 

Nooooo this is not a snow job b'cuz I'm about to see things differently. I feel kind of bad that I do see it differently. I want to be a positive upbeat cinema-watcher. But I may have to see a different movie to have that outlook.

 

I got the impression that Sidney was going to run and tell. Redemption, to me, means seeing the error of your ways and learning and changing from those mistakes. Now, I might have to see the story after the fade-out. I might need to see Sidney help an old broken down vaudevillian cross the street. Or maybe as J.J.'s putting in the call to The Chastiser (Detective Kello), I would have liked to have heard Sidney say something about the error of his ways and not what he did do...which was to tell J.J. that he lost: ("You'll never break up those two crazy kids!")

 

"Sydney is going to do everything he can to make sure that JJ's way of "doing business" is wiped out..."

 

...So he can take over. Maybe he'll be more careful than J.J. Naaah, I doubt it.

 

Oh I can use my imagination. I can see beyond a movie's fade out. And this is what my crystal ball sees:

 

* Sidney gets the crap beaten out of him by Kello

 

* Paulette Goddard passes by and says nothing

 

* Sidney dictates the truth to his secretary when he's released from the hospital

 

* Sidney "magnanimously" sleeps with his grateful secretary...he's feeling generous

 

* Sidney sells the story to J.J.'s editor (who has secretly hated J.J., but as long as he kept circulation up...)

 

* Sidney "magnanimously" sleeps with the grateful cigarette girl b'cuz what big time press agent/columnist doesn't need a good ten cent cigar

 

* Sidney gets his own by-line from The Globe

 

* Sidney throws a party at Toots Shor

 

* Sidney walks into the party with a blonde...The Senator's ex-mistress

 

Sidney Falco as Eve Harrington.

[JackFavell]

Ha! Maybe you are right... I can certainly see all that happening. I don't doubt it.... Perhaps I've been too kind to Sydney, his big beautiful puppy dog eyes seduced me into thinking he was turning directions.... I don't know.... but one thing I am sure of , I DO think it's Sydney's story. I don't know why I do, but I DO. :^0

 

 

PS> Love the Paulette Goddard reference.

 

Edited by: JackFavell on Aug 7, 2011 9:30 PM

[MissGoddess]

Your words about JJ made me immediately think of another character in another movie: Robert Ryan's "Smith Ohlrig" in *Caught*.

[JackFavell]

That's interesting.... he was another who constantly condemned people for being sycophants but got mad when they weren't.

[CineMaven]

Wow! What a great description! She turns a pretty phrase herself.

 

Thank you...that's my girl. I'll tell her.

 

I am trying to figure out something about JJ, but I can't quite get to it...I've wanted to write about it for a few days, but I can't get to the kernel of my thoughts.

 

Start poppin' Sis.

 

JJ talks down so cuttingly to everyone he knows.... hatefully..... even the Senator who is supposed to be his friend (just because they go way back?).... he says something like "my big toe would make a better president".

 

I remember that. I remember thinking that at least he likes the Senator...until he put that contemptuous big toe in there. (Love that scene. I liked the blonde's sputtering).

 

On the other hand, he is almost kindly to Kello...I wondered at this turnaround in JJ, but then he can't help rubbing it in that Kello owes him.... still, I thought I saw a gleam of admiration in JJ's eye. Kello at least, doesn't seem afraid of him.

 

With --Fatso Judson-- I mean Det. Kello, I thought I saw Kello be kind of proud that J.J. calls on him...but then his face sours when he's reminded of whatever wrong he did. Then Kello talks of J.J. coming through when a guy needs a friend. My opinion JackaaaAaaay is that J.J. must surround himself with people who OWE him b'cuz he never learned to play well with others.

 

J.J. AT TEN YEARS OLD:

 

J.J.: "THAT'S MY SAND BOX SQUIRT. GET OUTTA THERE!"

 

J.J.'s TEACHER: "J.J. THAT'S NOT VERY NICE. YOU MUST LEARN TO SHARE."

 

J.J.: "YEAH, LIKE YOU SHARED A KISS WITH THE GYM TEACHER? AIN'T YOU MARRIED MRS. JENKINS?!"

 

...He allows Sydney to sit at the table, even though he makes him feel like dirt under his feet.... he wants to see how much Sydney loves him... how much Sydney will sweat for him... in order to make him do what he wants.

 

J.J. feeds off the neediness of others. It's like a drug to him. He needs it to breathe.

 

Sydney admits that years ago, JJ made him do something unspeakably vile....but we never learn what it is...

 

Ooooh scary. I wonder what that could have been. My imagination's wild, man.

 

So what I am asking is, does JJ actually have any kindly feelings for anyone?

 

I would say no. I mean, he might be cordial to the shoeshine boy, the paper boy...

 

Is his way of dealing with people just so abrasive that his kindly feelings for them are shown in hateful ways?

 

Something very deeply hurt J.J. He is a misanthrope. He trusts no one. He doesn't trust himself even...that's why he has such a tight rein on himself. He's so still. I do think he respects his secretary. She doesn't fear him. He has nothing on her. She understands what a rat **** he is.

 

Can he really be so monstrous that he needs no one, has NO friends at all? Except of course for his dear readers....

 

He is not a real person. He is a Type...an archetype. He represents the type of person who is mean and contemptuous. I don't think J.J. would kick a dog though. He might let himself feel affection for a little doggie.

 

Susie is definitely his Achilles heel, so why would he tell Sydney that she is the only thing he cares about, exposing his own weakness, unless he actually liked Sydney? Is it that he doesn't see Sydney as strong enough to be a threat? Is that all?

 

My thinking leads me to believe that he tells Sidney how Susie is the only thing he cares about, so Sidney could see how IMPORTANT she is to him...how IMPORTANT breaking up those two crazy kids means to him...so don't " eff " it up.

 

Does he actually love these sycophants and scum who he makes run for him? Like he loves the dirty city?

 

What did Ballin Munson say in "GILDA" - "Your hate warms me." Or words to that effect. Kinky.

 

And if they are such scum, what does he think of himself, their ringleader? Does he love himself, or hate himself?

 

I think J.J. thinks he's above the fray of the flotsam and jetsom. The more he can rule them, the more he feels contempt for them. Psychologically I think his self-loathing is a deep dark black hole.

[CineMaven]

:-) :-) :-) Ha! Maybe you are right...I can certainly see all that happening. I don't doubt it....Perhaps I've been too kind to Sydney, his big beautiful puppy dog eyes seduced me into thinking he was turning directions....I don't know.... but one thing I am sure of , I DO think it's Sydney's story. I don't know why I do, but I DO.

 

I also think it's Sidney's story. "Let's see what a man looks like as he sells his soul." I admit, if Sidney didn't look as handsome as Tony Curtis...I'd have left him long time ago. My PIN number is 2839 for any of you Tony Curtises out there.

 

PS Love the Paulette Goddard reference.

 

Awwwww. Thank you. I was doing what Frank said the director of "SSS" did...bury the real story.

 

Your words about JJ made me immediately think of another character in another movie: Robert Ryan's "Smith Ohlrig" in 'Caught.' - MISS GODDESS

 

In general, abusers ALWAYS blame others for making them be abusive. If you see it coming, I say head for the hills...unless he looks like Tony Curtis or Robert Ryan.

 

That's interesting.... he was another who constantly condemned people for being sycophants but got mad when they weren't.

 

I knew of a boss like that. Yikes! I say with J.J. Hunsecker, he was extremely narcissistic and had a psychopathically severe case of schadenfreude.

[JackFavell]

I had to look up Schadenfreude. Yup. Maybe you should have been a psychiatrist... you seem to have JJ pretty well diagnosed.

[CineMaven]

I wanted you to look it up. Good. You learn something new ev'ry day at ye olde message board.

 

In general, my kneejerk reaction is: I...HATE...RE-MAKES!! And basically I do. I love the classics and no stars today can even touch the brim of Slim Summerville's hat. But if I had to have a modern day J.J. Hunsecker and Sidney Falco, I would like to see:

 

J.J. Hunsecker.................Laurence Fishburne

Sidney Falco....................Matt Damon.

 

I AM --J.J. HUNSECKER--...no wait, that's not right. I AM SPARTACUS.

 

There. There now.

[JackFavell]

Ha! Those are very good choices.... and now you inspired me to make one change in that line up - Sam Rockwell as Sydney.

 

I gotta go get some sleep. I am getting loopy... but thansk for the enjoyable chat about SSS. I really find the movie endlessly fascinating. They should have opened this movie with a scorpion in an ant hill.....

 

I must be lacking sleep... I want to compare SSS with The WIld Bunch.

[Bronxgirl48]

> h-oh...batten down the hatches folks. J.J.'s secretary is on board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come back here, I want to chastise you!

 

 

I'll see everyone later tonight with my thoughts on SSOS. (although I don't know what else I can add; er, everything wise and witty has already been said)

 

 

(btw, Can anyone upload a screencap of the look Susie gives JJ (when he's on the phone getting Milner's job back, and telling her "Don't let anyone know I'm tied to your apron springs")? Susie's "putting it on" for her brother, because she's figured out what a monster he really is. It's a very disturbingly rapturous gaze)

 

Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on Aug 9, 2011 12:44 PM

[CineMaven]

I never mastered the screen capping skill. What you're intimating sounds like Susie wasn't that "innocent" after all. She knew the effect she had on her weird brother...and would use it to her advantage if she had to. In this case, to get her boyrfriend's job back.

 

Remember her saying this line:

 

"The act would be for my sake, not for Steve's."

 

I'm just glad she got outta there. It was an unhealthy situation all the way around. Look forward to your comments later.

 

I know they'll be a dilly!