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Released by: Warner Archive
Released on: 1/18/2011
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Edward G. Robinson, Cyd Charisse, George Hamitlon
Year: 1962
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The Movie:
Directed by Vincente Minnelli, this 1962 Warner Brothers production stars Kirk Douglas as a washed up actor named Jack Andrus. When we meet him, he's seen better days - in fact, he's enjoying a bit of a time out at a mental hospital. He's let out shortly after, however, when he's given the opportunity to play a supporting role in a movie being made in Rome by a director named Maurice Kruger (Edward G. Robinson) whose career has also been on a downhill slope for the last few years. Making matters more complicated is the presence of Kruger's wife, Clara (Claire Trevor), who is in pretty rough shape herself these days.
As the crew head to Europe to make their film, we're given a glimpse and the ups and downs of the industry. When Maurice becomes very sick and can't finish the production, Andrus picks up the reins and takes over where the ailing director left off, knowing full well that his is quite likely the last real opportunity he'll get to revive a career and essentially redeem himself in the eyes of the business and society.
Those expecting Robinson to go over the top as he periodically would in the crime film roles he's better known for might appreciate seeing him work with a bit more control here. He's quite good and very believable as the aging director and his performance is as strong as you'd expect from a performer of his caliber. Douglas is also excellent here, though you definitely get the impression that he's basically just playing himself and enjoying a stint in Italy on the studio's dime. There's a nonchalant tone to his work in this picture that definitely gives off that playful vibe, but it actually winds up working in the picture's favor for as Andres starts to once again come into his own, Douglas' personality really begins to mesh with the character he's playing. Supporting performances from the likes of a young George Hamilton and an instantly recognizable Cyd Charisse are fun, but Robinson and Douglas are, understandably, given quite a bit more to do here.
Minnelli, best known for shooting films like Gigi and An American In Paris, brings all the top notch cinematography and lush production values that those films featured to this picture as well, and thank to some absolutely stunning and completely classy cinematography courtesy of Milton Krasner (who worked his magic on pictures like All About Eve, How The West Was Won and The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre) we're able to really appreciate the detail and effort that went into the visuals here.
An interesting and introspective look at the mechanization of the Hollywood machine, Two Weeks In Another Town is a little on the long side and not the slam bang action movie some might hope for, but it proves to be an interesting and undeniably well made picture, one easy to appreciate and to enjoy.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Two Weeks In Another Town generally looks pretty good in this 2.35.1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. Colors are nice and bold and well defined, particularly the green used in the slime itself, which has a nice glow to it. Skin tones generally look okay and print damage isn't ever problematic, in fact the source used for the transfer appears to have been in very good shape. There aren't any compression artifacts to note and while further restoration could have cleaned this up a bit more than it has been here, this isn't a bad transfer at all.
The English language Dolby Digital Mono soundtrack is fine. There's a bit of hiss in a couple of spots but you probably won't notice it if you're not looking for it. The film's opening (and closing) theme song sounds appropriately fuzzed out and bad ass while the dialogue is always easy to understand and never problematic.
There aren't any, just a static menu with chapter stops encoded every ten minutes.
The Final Word:
An interesting look at the big studio business of making movies, Two Weeks In Another Town is a film that really benefits not just from strong direction but from some equally strong performances from two legitimately legendary actors. The Warner Archives release is, not surprisingly, a barebones affair but the audio and video are strong enough that, should the film appeal to you, it's worth a look.
