Thursday Movie Picks-Verbal Altercations

I hope all of you are practicing social distancing because it’s the best way to prevent this virus from taking hold. Ok, let’s movie on before I possibly start a verbal altercation which is the theme this week over at Wandering Through The Shelves. I initially thought of 2 movies that I remembered I talked about before, so I changed things up. I am always dumbfounded how my 15 watt bulb dims even more when  I need to think up 3 films that suit the theme. I hope I did well and look forward to what everyone else chooses. Here are my 3...

1. OF HUMAN BONDAGE-1934

Oh, this poor sucker of a medical student falls in love with a tawdry guttersnipe waitress who belittles him every chance she gets. He know in his brain( notice I didn’t say head) that she is not worthy but he can’t break free of her. They argue, or rather she berates and he takes it, until she leaves him. He finds happiness with a sweet woman but, well, bitch whore comes back and he goes to her. They argue and he has no idea why he keeps going to her but, well, we know. This is a great version of the book( obviously the book is much more detailed) that made a star of Bette Davis and was the one time where people wrote in an Oscar nomination when Bette was passed over come official Oscar nominations. Leslie Howard gives a sensitive, poignant performance as the student who can’t say no. A well acted film that is well worth a watch.

2. FIVE EASY PIECES-1970

Jack Nicholson plays a gifted pianist, from a wealthy family, who decided to turn his back on his family and his gift, to work on the oil wells. When he gets word that his father is ailing, he heads for home with his girlfriend in tow. He has some big issues coming home and this film isdone in typical 70s style which, how shall I say, just pisses me off. This is not a favourite of mine except for one brilliant scene that takes place in a diner between Nicholson’s character and the stiff-haired waitress who's hair wouldn't move in a hurricane. It’s brilliant because I do remember how diners and restaurants would never budge if you asked to change up the order.

3. AUGUST:OSAGE COUNTY-2013

To say this is one #@‘! Up family is an understatement and the matriarch of this family, played by Meryl Streep, is the cause for most of the dysfunction. There are 3 daughters, each with their own issues, who come back home after learning their dad went missing. Others come along for the ride, from the granddaughter, husbands, boyfriends and their aunt, mom’s sister, to the sister’s son. The oldest daughter is play by Julia Roberts who is just as vitriolic as her mom and it comes to a head one fine dinner. You learn all sorts of surprises and you really hope people leave before they are sucked into the vortex called mom. It’s well acted and has surprisingly funny moments. Well worth watching.

What 3 films come to your mind?
Which 3 would you choose?