216. Barbarians at the Gate

216. (21 Sep) Barbarians at the Gate (1993, Glenn Jordan) 51



Larry Gelbart's sharp-tongued script is Barbarians at the Gate's strongest asset, but it's clear zingers have taken precedence over competently explaining the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco. Like most movies about finance, this panders and gets a little smug, but it's one of the best films about how deal-making is a boys' club. More than one crucial conversation takes place in a restroom rather than a conference room. James Garner is charming in the lead role.

035. Mister Buddwing

035. (29 Jan) Mister Buddwing (1966, Delbert Mann) 37



Sort of mesmerizingly dopey, Mister Buddwing is laden with flashbacks as an amnesiac slowly recalls his life. James Garner has an almost impossible time making an amnesiac's confusion relatable. Handsome though he may be, his limitations further emphasize how nonsensical the script is. The film's title, for instance, comes from Garner wandering around the streets of Manhattan where he sees a beer truck and airplane in the sky; he pieces that together to name himself "Buddwing."

The drawn-out, silly plot is made bearable by a strong supporting cast. Angela Lansbury, Katharine Ross, Suzanne Pleshette, and Jean Simmons all take turns helping Garner. Each upstages him. Nichelle Nichols makes an impression in a bit part.

The Art Direction nomination is only for a handful of interiors, none of them especially intricate. It's mostly the inside of apartments and a couple restaurants. The Costume Design nomination is hilarious. Helen Rose is credited with the nod, but is listed in the credits as only designing Jean Simmons' gowns. That means she was cited for two shiny dresses.