Variety Lights

During the screening, I found my attention drifting in and out because I was a bit tired. I felt like the plot began to drag at certain points during Variety Lights and The White Shiek flowed easily by with occasional laughs to lighten the mood. I walked out of the screening not really thinking too much about the films because it did not stand out to me in many ways. It wasn't until a few days later that I realized I really had thoroughly enjoyed both movies more than I had realized.


Variety Lights

When I stopped to think again about this film, I realized that the characters were not as two dimensional as I had assumed in the first place. I found myself feeling connected to the faces that had been on screen in a special way. Everytime I see the cover of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," a smile creeps across my face because of how much I loved the two characters of that film. I find myself having a similar reaction when I think of the dynamics between the members of the troupe in this movie. Like Mr. Bondanella had told us before the screening, the dialogue is not as important as the rest of the movie and I now understand that.


The White Sheik

Thinking back on this movie, I find myself laughing more than I ever did during the whole screening. Despite the parts of the movie that may seem a little odd, I now think of this movie as brilliantly funny and tender. Wanda's character is adorable and amusing to watch as the series of events swipe her away, further from her husband. Similarly, watching her poor husband Ivan frantically attempt to keep covering up for Wanda provides the audience with great laughs. The image of "The White Sheik" on the swing is unforgettable and Wanda's expression when she looks at him says so much more than any words spoken in the movie. Underneath all of the amusing plot, this movie also packs a little punch when it comes full circle in the end. With its relatively open ending, the audience is left acutally having to think about the resolution (which is rare in a comedy like this). When I consider what happened throughout the plot of the film, my amusement is paired with an honest appreciation of the emotions that must have been experienced by the characters.