MovieChat Forums > The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956) Discussion > Movie's issues are still timely + releva...

Movie's issues are still timely + relevant

posted 17 years ago by moviemaniac2002
2 replies | jump to latest

Just watched this again on the Encore Movie channel...funny, the film holds and
intrigues me even with its very l950's 20th Century Fox funeral march pacing.
But look at the central themes it raises..(forgetting about the subplots of the crotchety evil old "caretaker" and the illegitmate Italian child)
Frederic March succinctly states it in one of his last lengthy speeches...the
decision people make to either devote their life to their families or their
jobs...
Well, as the famous joke goes, nobody's grave headstone reads
"I wish I'd spent more time at the office"
Also, for those who like this film, I don't recommend anyone ever try
watching this in a pan-and-scan TV formatted version. l950's Fox movie directors fully spread their actors out across the wide Cinemascope screen..you can almost grow dizzy watching the pan'n scan technicians moving the frame back and forth to cover whichever actor is speaking at the moment.

[–] kanakarisnico 17 years ago

you couldn't said it better.

i too felt that the theme's in this movie were so up to date it scared me.

it could have been a 2003movie instead of 1953

i really loved it,one of the best!!

[–] Montmartre1 16 years ago

I agree as well.
the issues raised in the film have no date on them. The motivations of the characters are timeless too.
Excellent story, great acting and you have a classic--with no sell by date.