At this time of bad news on almost every front, it is understandable that all of us welcome some lighthearted diversion.
Some will certainly look for it in current movie releases, one of which holds promise in that it stars Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Whether or not movie-goers will be disappointed in Wolfs (available on Apple TV+ and in general release) is, however, a matter of conjecture.
The film tells the story of two low-life and egotistical “fixers” who find themselves suddenly and in opposition to each other called upon to get rid of an inconvenient body. In a series of ever-more complex developments, the two rivals find themselves forced to cooperate with each other. As a twist on the “inept buddy” riff, the film clearly aims at amusing viewers with a series of farcical events, ranging from a wildly-unbelievable car chase (where are the cops when you need them?) to a wildly-inane wedding hosted by the master criminal (nothing like the wedding in The Godfather!).
Relying on the chemistry between the two stars, who are clearly destined in the film to become bosom buddies, much as they are in real life, the film leaps from situation to situation in a way which, while never achieving comic greatness, manages to be divertingly amusing. However, one frequently gets the impression that the stars are more amused than the audience, many of whom will be appalled at the massive use of objectionable language.
Of course, it takes a talent to amuse, as anyone who is familiar with the works of Noël Coward, knows full well. The documentary biography Mad About the Boy - The Noël Coward Story (available on Apple TV) presents a diverting portrait of that multi-talented artist.
Of course, Coward will generally be known only to people of a certain age, recognized by people during the first two thirds of the last century as one of the greatest entertainers.
Born in poverty, at the age of 10 he auditioned for a play, quit school, and became a self-educated author and composer.
He wrote numerous songs even though he never learnt how to read music scores, including plangent love ballads, such as I’ll See You Again, and patriotic pieces such as London Pride, and witty and satirical diversions, such as Mad Dogs and Englishmen. Besides this, he authored a number of witty, sophisticated, perfectly-scripted plays, including Private Lives and Blithe Spirit – plays which have become a staple of drama throughout the world.
In addition to this, Coward was responsible for two admirable films: the classic romantic drama Brief Encounter and the superb wartime drama In Which We Serve.
It is noteworthy that Coward also managed to reinvent himself a number of times, by turns the suave upper-class Englishman clad in pyjamas and silk dressing gown while flaunting a cigarette holder, a spy for the English government during World War II, and as a highly-successful cabaret star in Las Vegas in his later life, all the while living as a closeted homosexual when to be so was punishable by imprisonment.
His life story is indeed fascinating and the film fleshes it out with interviews of people as revered as the late, great Maggie Smith and the fine British actors Richard Attenborough and John Mills.
The result is that Wild About the Boy is not only informative – and a happy reminder to people like me who have spent years revelling in the works of this enormously talented man – but also well worth watching for people who are only looking to be amused.
That may be just what is now most timely and needed.
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