Tag: Murder mystery

Dramas

Gosford Park

LizLocke3 Comments
Image: Gosford Park, 2001

As autumn finally starts to creep into my neck of the woods, I’m inspired to watch a film that celebrates rainy weather, tweed, and strong cocktails. If you’re a Downton Abbey fan, then you’ll be particularly interested in this week’s pick: Gosford Park (Disc/Download). One of the late-career masterpieces from Robert Altman, this Julian Fellowes-penned film predates the popular television show and kickstarted my love of Maggie Smith as the sassy Dowager Countess.

The 1930s British class system might seem like an unusual topic for an iconic American director to tackle, but when you watch Gosford Park, it makes total sense. Like most of Altman’s other films, it’s got a large ensemble, with scenes unfolding naturally as though the camera is just a lucky observer. What is happening in the background is just as important as whatever’s happening in the foreground, and watching the intersection of Upstairs, Downstairs, and Interloper is like a crash course in British society. Add to that an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery, and you’ve got what is probably my favorite Robert Altman film of all time.

If you’ve seen Downton Abbey, then you know what Gosford Park looks like. Women in beautiful 1930s gowns seated around a candlelit dinner table. Men in tweed suits toting their hunting rifles out into the English countryside. Cocktails and revelry among visiting American film producers and nervous social climbers. Maggie Smith yelling at a servant from the back of her Rolls Royce. It’s in ode to the beginning shots of her car traveling down a rainy country road, soft piano music playing in the background, that I selected this week’s tipple. While watching Gosford Park, I recommend drinking a classic cocktail from the Prohibition era, the Rolls Royce.

Rolls Royce

1 ½ oz London Dry gin

½ oz dry vermouth

½ oz sweet vermouth

¼ oz Bénédictine

Stir all ingredients with ice, and strain into a Nick & Nora glass.

I’m not usually a fan of Agatha Christie mysteries, however this film offers something a little different than the typical whodonit. The first half is entirely devoted to understanding the specific societal roles these characters inhabit, and how their paths intersect. By the time someone turns up with a knife in their back, you’re less interested in who than why. Gosford Park is the perfect film for a cozy night in, as you picture yourself sitting in the parlor of an English country estate, watching the drama unfold. Cheers!

Classic Films · Dramas

Rear Window

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Image credit: Rear Window, 1954

There’s nothing like a hot, humid night to make you want to cool off with an effortlessly chic film and icy cocktail. Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window (Disc/Download) may take place during the dog days of summer, but it never fails to chill me to the bone.

With a main character loosely based on real-life celebrity/lifestyle photographer Slim Aarons, this movie seems tailor made to fit my mid-century sensibilities. But throw in a tense murder mystery, voyeurism, and Hitchcockian suspense, and this Edith Head-flavored eye candy becomes a masterpiece. I’ve always loved Jimmy Stewart in a Hitchcock film because it’s an opportunity for cinema’s favorite everyman to dig a little deeper. As we see him lock eyes with a killer across the courtyard, it becomes apparent—this Jimmy has a dark side. One that compels him to watch his neighbors with the lights off, studying their movements, becoming involved in their dramas from afar. He can joke with Thelma Ritter and flirt with his socialite girlfriend, but there’s no denying the slight element of criminality to his behavior. Watching isn’t murder, but it’s still a violation.

Speaking of Thelma Ritter, I’d like to toast this 20th Century Queen of “Telling it Like it Is”. As the nurse who tends to Jimmy’s  L. B. “Jeff” Jeffries and his broken leg, she admonishes his semi-creepy voyeur habits while simultaneously musing about body disposal and blood spatter. Murderinos unite! When the action heats up, cool down with this Peeping Tom Collins.

Peeping Tom Collins

2 oz London Dry Gin

1 oz Lemon Juice

1 oz Ginger Liqueur

1/2 oz Simple Syrup

Club Soda to top

Lemon Wheel for garnish

Build drink over ice, stirring to combine. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

With just a hint of a spicy kick from the ginger liqueur, this drink will make you aware of how hot it is outside, but grateful you have air conditioning (unlike the poor folks in this Greenwich Village apartment complex). And be sure to watch out for a scene in which three people swirl brandy for about ten minutes straight, literally hypnotizing the viewer. If this was Hitch’s brand of misdirection, consider me duped. I have no idea what happened in that scene, other than the fact that Grace Kelly likes to aerate her alcohol and wear chunky charm bracelets. Cheers!

Comedies

Clue

LizLocke1 Comment

Clue Mrs Peacock
Image credit: Clue, 1985

For over twenty-five years, I’ve been terrorized by a film. It haunted me into adolescence and adulthood, through midnight screenings and drunken Halloween parties. Just the mere mention of it caused my body to shudder and shake. When I finally got brave enough to admit my fear of Clue (DVD/Download), I was met with confused stares. “Wait,” people would say, “Are we talking about the same movie? Clue?? That really wacky murder-mystery movie from the 80’s?” Yes, that would be the one.

You see, seven-year old Liz Locke could not handle Clue. The sight of a gloved hand raising a wrench over an unsuspecting victim’s head gave me such tremendous nightmares that I had to sleep with my parents for a week. Even when they made me suck it up and deal with it, I never turned that nightlight off. EVER. When I grew up, and people tried to tell me how funny, how absurd this film is, I still resisted watching it. Why revisit past trauma? But this week, I finally decided to take the plunge. I actually rented Clue, and with trembling fingers, hit play. And you know what? I LOVED IT! I’ve decided I want to be Mrs. Peacock when I grow up, with her weird hats and cat-eye glasses. I’d be BFFs with Mr. Green, but only if he’s played by the brilliant Michael McKean. I’d attend dinner parties in a fabulous old New England mansion and scurry through secret passageways. And I would NOT slurp my soup.

Perhaps I should credit alcohol for being the main reason I now love this movie. With a cocktail (or two), just about anything can be fun. Normally I’d consider Brandy to be a serious spirit for serious films, but mixed with some maraschino and pineapple, it’s a flirty, 1950’s inspired drink fit for Mrs. Peacock. While watching Clue, I recommend drinking a Club Cocktail.

Club Cocktail

2 oz Brandy

½ oz Maraschino Liqueur

½ oz pineapple juice

2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters

Lemon Twist

Maraschino cherry

Mix Brandy, Marschino Liqueur, pineapple juice, and bitters in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well, then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon and maraschino cherry.

As a nod to this film’s three separate endings, try switching out the brandy with rum, or silver tequila. If you’re throwing a Halloween party, this could be a great way to mix things up. Like a choose-your-own adventure for booze. Show this film, then give the guests one of the three cocktail variations, or perhaps all three! They won’t know what hit them. Cheers to no more nightmares!