19 Comments
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Sheila Fyfe's avatar

If anyone reading this has NOT seen the 1974 "Murder on the Orient Express," please just watch it for Wendy Hiller alone. All the rest is wonderful gravy.

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David J. Sharp's avatar

Okay, I’m ready to wade in—Nun but the Brave! With Sally Fields flying in.

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David J. Sharp's avatar

Nice cast! But where is Bud Court and Ruth Gordon? I’m dying to know.

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David J. Sharp's avatar

And of course, we need a non-remake of Sallie go ‘round the roses … it’s very long but we lap it up.

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David Benedict's avatar

Beyond flattered.

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John's avatar

What I wouldn't give to watch your Cherry Orchard. But a quibble. Benitez seems to me to be the very incarnation of faith and spirituality, while letting sleeping dogmas lie.

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Benjamin Dreyer's avatar

Funnily enough, my husband said more or less precisely what you said when I commented to him about my impression of the film’s lack of interest in non-earthly matters, and yes, I do agree that you’re both spot-on about the impression that Benitez makes, especially in that final scene with Ralph/Lawrence. I guess I just wish that the implication re what will happen after “The End” took in more than Benitez’s revolutionary existence—his incarnation, to use your perfectly chosen word.

But yes: Fair point. Very fair point.

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e. amato's avatar

The joy of this! TY 🫶🏼

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Bob Cohn's avatar

I didn't object to The Conclave's casting, but I was fascinated by it as an allegory of the drama and its possible outcome from the actions of our current national leadership. That's what anxiety will do for you. (to you?)

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Beth Kopley's avatar

S.Z. "Cuddles" and Aline MacMahon--together again for the first time! (I might be wrong.)

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Benjamin Dreyer's avatar

At least as I’ve been able to work it out with an IMDb search, Cuddles and Aline never worked together, as improbable as that seems!

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Beth Kopley's avatar

Same! But surely one of those casting coups I would put together in my imaginary film empire!

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Renee Perry's avatar

Conclave just looked like a movie from the late 60s, maybe early 70s. It was so gorgeous, the shots so composed. There were so many pleasures in watching it.

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Brian Watson's avatar

How delightful to have thought, “That Larry Kramer?” only to find your endnote later. A career in mind-reading must surely be in the wings, dear Benjamin.

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Laurie Fusco's avatar

❤️

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Frances Margolin's avatar

I cannot agree more heartily about David Suchet and that entire version of … Orient Express. Clearly best ever.

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Caroline Smrstik's avatar

I had a little sigh reading Footnote 7 myself.

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Deborah's avatar

I somehow missed this between the Scylla of my inbox and Charybdis of time, but it was delightfully refreshing to find while I sought something else. I have nothing to bring to the casting and happily leave it to the experts, but I wonder if you've read Brian Selznick's "Hugo Cabret" and "The Marvels"? The exploratory musings in the past remind me of his work. I happened to get my hands on an advance copy of his forthcoming "Run Away with Me," and I think you might enjoy it.

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Leah's avatar

This posting had me gasping with both laughter and recovered film memories.

You should write a book. Someone quick! He needs a title.

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