birdland08

This is an unusual romantic comedy because it is told from the perspective of those unromantic little canines known as men. It ridicules our fear of commitment, our willingness to endlessly (and pointlessly) argue what is or is not the best this kind of thing or the worst of that kind of thing, our appalling need to outgrow the egocentrism that comes from being raised as guys, and generally makes guys laugh at themselves because the people responsible for this movie just know us too well.

Oddly enough, women seem to love this movie too. I think it allows them to say to their boyfriends, "There, you see? That's you, you incorrigible, primitive, ape-like being".

Ebert put this movie among his list of great movies with Casablanca and Citizen Kane. He may be overdoing it a little because he has a soft spot for movies related to Chicago, but not by that much. I rated this movie 9 of 10 because it certainly is among the best of a genre I don't especially care for, and any movie that gives guys a bit of insight into themselves has more weight than its lighthearted genre usually can carry.

Despite the fact that Welles is best remembered for the film ranked first by the AFI among the films of the Twentieth Century, Citizen Kane, Welles considered The Trial his finest work. In my mind, it is the most beautifully photographed film ever made in black and white, and its sense of composition is that of an artist. The settings are dark and mysterious, and a sense that humanity has been shunted to the margins of a dark industrial order is beautifully conveyed.

I'm told that younger people who did not grow up with black and white TV or with black and white movies automatically tune out pieces that are not in color. That is a shame, as there are films that are better made in black and white, and expressions of time and mood that cannot be made as well in color. Welles never really got the chance to make the transition to color that Kubrick made as well as any American director. Perhaps he would have found expressive use of color as well as Kubrick did, but certainly neither this film nor Citizen Kane could be made in color.

The brilliance of its artistry aside, the film will not appeal to everyone because of the deliberate opaqueness of the plot, and because of its lack of optimism. I like Kafka's story, and I like the movie very well, but it is more art than diversionary entertainment, and some might prefer a good action flick or a romantic comedy.