We watched the film His Girl Friday a fast action romance directed by Howard Hawks. This movie fits into the screwball comedy genre. The interaction between Hildy (Rosalind Russell) and Walter (Cary Grant) make this film more than just a romantic comedy. Hildy is supposed to marry Bruce (Ralph Bellamy) but when she goes to tell Walter her ex-husband the news she starts to remember why she married him. The fast pace action of the film is what adds to the already comical dialogue. His Girl Friday is considered a screwball comedy because of its emphasis on humor, the dominant role of Hildy and the acceleration of the plot.
Everything that goes on in the film is associated with humor. Unlike romantic comedies, the main focus of screwball comedies is physical comedy and the humor that is achieved through events. Walter constantly makes jokes at the expense of others. We as viewers also laugh at the way in which Hildy and Walter interact. When Hildy uses Bruce’s money to buy information from another man, Hildy calls Walter to have him pay her back. Walter agrees to give her the money but he does not give her real money, he gives her fake bills. We as the audience find this funny because Walter keeps on screwing up Hildy and Bruce’s relationship and Walter had already gotten Bruce placed in jail twice. It is this comedy that captivates the viewer.
In Bruce’s and Hildy’s relationship Hildy is the one who tells Bruce what to do and what she is going to do. In romantic comedies the man and woman have an equal say in what takes place. But, in a screwball comedy the woman usually is the dominating force. Hildy and Walter are a better match because they both share authority in their relationship. This is the reason why Bruce and Hildy’s relationship doesn’t work. When Bruce wants Hildy to stop work on the paper and go to Albany with him she tells him to wait. She will not stop her work for her fiancé. Bruce tells her again that it is time to go but, she ignores him. Bruce says he’s going to leave but he ends up waiting for her. Hildy’s strong feminine role sets the tone of this screwball comedy.
His Girl Friday uses fast dialogue and long shots to in order to carry out the elements of a screwball comedy. The director does not use many different shots or angles in the film. He holds back on the elements so that the viewer is able to pay full attention to the dialogue and the body language that takes place. The first time in which this takes place is in the opening scene when Hildy and Walter are talking in his office.
There are combinations of components that make His Girl Friday an amazing screwball comedy. This screwball comedy made in 1940 is what gave way to this new genre. Even though this film is black and white, it is a must see film.
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3 comments:
nice review it was a lil long but gave alot of nice plot points and details.
nice and long review. yes what you said about how Hyldi is the boss of the relationship is definitely true. I also agree that Walter is always messing up other people, like sending Bruce to jail. i also agree that hyldi and walter are better match because Bruce is just too slow.
wow you typed alot. but it was a good review, i just disagree to the fact that its a must see film because i think the comedy for this film is just too old and outdated for this new day and age. I also saw alot of female dominance in this movie but i think in the end walter is the smartest and most dominante in the end because of the fact that he basically double crosses everyone not once but 3 times, and yet they fall for it everytime.
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