The Coen Brothers mainly make two distinctive types of films. On the one hand, many of their films fall into the category of quirky comedies, such as Raising Arizona or O Brother, Where Art Thou?. On the other hand, they’ve also dabbled in more serious, yet still unique, dramas like No Country for Old Men and True Grit. Hail, Caesar!, a farcical romp through a 1950s Hollywood studio, falls squarely into the first category, and as such is the funniest film the Coen Brothers have made in years, particularly for classic film fans. It’s a return to form for the writing/directing pair, combining an all-star cast with a distinct storytelling style and comedy that demands a fair amount from viewers in able to fully appreciate it. The end result is a film that feels different from anything we’ve seen onscreen lately and is bound to please any fans of the Coens or of the golden age of Hollywood.
Jack, wrapped in a boat-cloak, with a dark-lantern between his knees, sat in the stern-sheets, filled with pleasurable anticipation. He had not seen Stephen Maturin for a vast stretch of time, made even longer by the grinding monotony of the blockade: how lonely he had been for the want of that harsh, unpleasant voice! Two hundred and fifty-nine men living in promiscuity, extreme promiscuity for the lower-deck, and the two hundred and sixtieth a hermit: of course it was the common lot of captains, it was the naval condition, and like all other lieutenants he had strained every nerve to reach this stark isolation; but admitting the fact made precious little odds to what it felt like. No consolation in philosophy. Stephen would have seen Sophie only a few weeks ago, perhaps even less; he would certainly have messages from her, possibly a letter. He put his hand secretly to the crinkle in his bosom, and lapsed into a reverie. A moderate following sea heaved the launch in towards the land; with the rhythm of the waves and the long even pull and creak of the oars he dozed, smiling in his almost sleep.
HMS Surprise – Patrick O’Brian
(a group of rich, mean girls have been teasing Kaylee over her store-bought dress)
Murphy: Why Banning Miller. What a vision you are in your fine dress. It must have taken a dozen slaves a dozen days to get you into that getup. ‘Course your daddy tells me it takes the space of a schoolboy’s wink to get you out of it again.
(the rich girls storm off)
Murphy: (to Kaylee) Forgive my rudeness. I cannot abide useless people.
Firefly – Episode 4 – “Shindig”
The Finest Hours is decidedly old-fashioned. In many ways it takes its storytelling style from the time period in which the film is set, giving us pacing, characters, and performances which feel like they belong back in the early 1950s as if the film itself could have been showing in a theatre in snowy Chatham, Massachusetts on that fateful day in February of 1952. This old-fashioned approach will probably be enough to keep most viewers away, but to me it’s the film’s greatest strength. The film tells a heroic story in an understated way, perfectly matching the modesty of the historic figures involved. That along with a solid cast who really fit with the feel of the time period, some impressive visual effects, and a steady storytelling hand combine to make The Finest Hours a far better and more engaging film than it has any right to be.
Kaylee: I’m not saying the 80-04’s hard to repair, it just ain’t worth it.
Older Farmer: It’s a fine machine, you just keep it tuned.
Kaylee: Cai bu shi. [“No way.”] The extenders ain’t braced.
Murphy: I’ve been telling him to buy the 80-10 for years.
Kaylee: Those ‘tenders snap off, don’t matter how good the engine’s cycling.
Younger Farmer: Miss Kaylee, I wonder if I could request the honor of….
Murphy: Wait a minute. Let her talk. She’s talking. Dance later.
Kaylee: By the way, the 80-10’s the same machine, they just changed the plating and hope no one noticed.
(everyone laughs)
Firefly – Episode 4 – “Shindig”
Scotty: Mister Spock, you said a while ago that there were always alternatives.
Spock: Did l? I may have been mistaken.
McCoy: Well, at least I lived long enough to hear that.
Star Trek – Season 1: Episode 13 – “The Galileo Seven”
Snyder: Whoa, Summers! You drive like a spaz!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Season 3: Episode 6 – “Band Candy”
The Love Pirate 