Friday, August 27, 2010

365+ movies in 365 Days: Day 119 - Summer's End Film Festival: Mr. Hobbs Takes A Vacation


Mr. Hobbs Takes A Vacation is a movie left over from another era. It represents the idyllic view of America in the 1950's, when everyone lived in happy "Leave It To Beaver" type families. While Hollywood was turning out films featuring discontented teenagers like Rebel Without A Cause, Blackboard Jungle and West Side Story, the biggest challenge facing these parents are a son that watches too much TV and a daughter to shy to dance because she has braces on her teeth.

But the movie does not completely exist in a time casual. The movie mentions both the space race and Kruschev. The two married daughters are both having marital problems. One daughter's husband is out of work and the stress is fracturing their marriage. The other daughter has a conceited husband who has a wandering eye. Frequently the characters quote magazine articles about child rearing, psychology and modern sexuality, showcasing many new ideas that were already taking root in American society.

The film sets up the premise that the father is superfluous in his own home.That his family and children no longer need him for anything ore than his money. he is frequently portrayed as a klutz and a man not in control of events around him. But as the film unfolds we see that it is his wisdom that keeps the family together.

It's a very light comedy, along the vein of other films like Gidget or Please Don't Eat The Daisies. The comedy relies on Stewart as he reacts to the chaos his family creates. Stewart also supplies frequent narration to the events, giving comedic voice over to the outcome of events. The film has elements to appeal to both generations. Stewart and Maureen O'Hara for mom and dad and Fabian, Valerie Varda and rock and roll music for the kids.

The laughs are light hearted and the drama is heart warming. This film is as pleasant as a day at the beach.

At The Movie House rating **1/2 stars.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

major review fopah...you used the same analogy in consecutive reviews..."movie is as pleasant as a day at the beach"....lets try to avoid creative lapses please....these summer end movies are boring me...How about spicing it up with a review of the John Voight movie, "Runaway Train"...that movie will bring summer to an abrupt end