Classics: A Review of Miracle on 34th Street By Lauren Ennis

M   Media hysteria, shocking court hearings, dubious political dealings and suspicious mass mail drops prove to be the makings of...a Christmas miracle?! The 1947 classic Miracle on 34th Street somehow manages to piece together these elements and more to relate a fable for our times. The film follows a department store Santa (who just might be the real thing) whose innocent efforts to spread Christmas cheer place him both under psychiatric evaluation and in front of a judge. Beneath its warmth and whimsy this heartwarming holiday tale relates lessons in decency, resilience, and faith that resonate now more than ever.

The story begins on Thanksgiving with Macy's event director Doris Walker struggling to salvage the store's parade after the Santa she had hired arrives for work drunk. Fortunately, concerned bystander Kris Kringle appears on the scene and offers to stand in for the inebriated employee. Kris' performance during the parade proves so successful that he is hired as the store's Santa for the remainder of the season. Throughout his employment, Kris is nothing less than delightful as he entertains the store’s customers and teaches Doris’ mature daughter, Susan, the joys of being a kid. Cynical Doris, however, decides that the old man is taking the Santa act too far and tries to fire him for fear that he is unstable and a company liability. When Mr. Macy himself advises her against the decision she instead recommends that Kris schedule an appointment with the store's on-staff psychiatrist. The appointment results in a series of misunderstandings that result in Kris being committed to Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatric ward. Doris’ neighbor, lawyer Fred Gaily, then takes it upon himself to defend Kris at a sanity hearing by proving that Kris is not only perfectly sane, but also the real Santa Claus.

B    The film's infectious cheer has mesmerized generations, but it is its call to faith and integrity in a cynical age that has earned Miracle on 34th Street a place in cinema history. Throughout the film those who remain true to their beliefs and fail to adhere to popular norms are dismissed as misguided or even unstable. In an era in which media members, medical experts, and political leaders dictate a firm but not necessarily factual narrative Kris' plight eerily reflects that of millions who have been silenced, derided, and even persecuted for questioning the powers that be. Even when all hope seems lost, however, Kris never loses sight of his beliefs or waivers in his determination to remain true to them. In this way, Kris elevates Santa Claus beyond a benevolent fairy tale figure to a role model we all could learn from.

     When Fred offers to take Kris' case he defends his decision by saying "It's not just Kris that's on trial, it's everything that he stands for. It's kindness and joy and love and all of the other intangibles". After a year of political, economic, social, and personal upheaval those 'intangibles' that Fred refers to seem better suited for the fairy tales that Susan dismisses than real life. Yet it is in times of struggle and division such as these that those intangibles matter most. It is these invisible ties of joy, love, hope, and faith that bind us together even as everything around us seems set to tear us apart. As the holiday season descends upon us once again it is imperative that we find light in the midst of the darkness surrounding us and remember that those little intangibles truly are the only things worthwhile.  

Just ordinary election-I mean trial- procedure...

The film comes to vibrant life thanks to the warmth and wit of its cast. Philip Tonge is riotous in his turn as anxiety ridden toy department manager Mr. Shellhammer. Gene Lockhart infuses his performance as Judge Harper with wisdom and decency. William Frawley is memorable in his brief appearance as Judge Harper's cynical but savvy political strategist, Charlie Halloran. Porter Hall is a villain viewers will love to hate as self-important bureaucrat Mr. Sawyer. In her first major role Natalie Wood displays a subtlety, nuance, and realism in her performance as precocious Susan that foreshadows her later screen success. John Payne personifies honesty and idealism and makes for a charming romantic lead as Fred Gailey. Maureen O'Hara is captivating in her portrayal of the well-meaning, but world weary Doris. Edmund Gwenn shines in a performance that exudes such kindness, cheer, and warmth that viewers will be left wondering if he might really be Santa Claus off-screen as well as on.

 Miracle on 34th Street is a holiday tale that is guaranteed to warm your heart throughout the year. Through its equal parts warm and witty script and infectious performances the film weaves a spell that is nothing short of cinema magic. In a year in which so many of us could use a Christmas miracle have a little faith and join Fred, Doris, Susan and Kris in Miracle on 34th Street.

Classics: A Review of My Cousin Vinny By Lauren Ennis

The court system is known as one of the most sacred institutions in America. It is within the hallowed halls of the nation's court rooms that life and death and guilt and innocence hang in the balance. Who would have thought that these same halls would also be ripe for comedic potential? The 1992 film My Cousin Vinny combines the familiar elements of classic court room drama with fish-out-of-water comedy and then subverts both genres with hilarious results. Through its focus upon the inner workings of the law the film sends up the legal profession with a wit and charm that is certain to leave even the most hardened of litigators laughing. Nearly thirty years after its release My Cousin Vinny continues to make the case for its status as a comedy classic.

The story begins with two New York college students, Billy and Stan, taking a trip below the Mason Dixon line where they immediately realize that they are both fish out of water and completely over their heads. After inadvertently shoplifting in an Alabama convenience store the duo are arrested, not for theft but murder. Desperate to defend themselves against capital charges, the boys enlist the help of Billy's cousin, recent law school graduate Vinny. Wise guy Vinny soon arrives in Alabama armed with zero courtroom experience, a hair-trigger temper, and a tough talking fiancée. The film then follows his increasingly outrageous attempts to remain one step ahead of the defense in a case that places his career, his relationship, and his cousin's life on the line.

The film's original poster reads "There have been many courtroom dramas that glorify the Great American Legal System. This is not one of them", that tagline is correct, My Cousin Vinny, does not glorify the American legal system; it does something infinitely more interesting. Rather than following courtroom drama clichés the film instead chronicles the inner workings of one criminal case. As a result, the film lends viewers apt insight into the crucial, but less than exciting, aspects of legal work that Hollywood all too often leaves out. In this way the script pays homage to the men and women of the legal profession without glamorizing them and ensures that the film remains firmly within the realm of reality. 

Even in the midst of so much legal drama the film successfully delivers one laugh after another. The film aptly utilizes its 'fish out of water' premise with culture and personality clashes that are played to maximum comedic effect. The film particularly succeeds by presenting seemingly stereotypical characters and then subverting those same stereotypes. For example scrappy and streetwise Vinny begins the case as arguably the most incompetent attorney to enter a courtroom only to eventually prove himself a formidable litigator. Similarly, Vinny's seemingly ditzy fiancée, Lisa, ultimately outwits attorneys for both the prosecution and defense. The film also succeeds through its ability to present viewers with outrageous characters with such affection and humanity that viewers will be hard pressed not to relate to and root for them. Through its winning combination of law and laughs My Cousin Vinny takes any semblance of order out of the court. 

The film's colorful array of characters come to whimsical life thanks to the work of the expert cast. Ralph Macchio and Mitchell Whitfield convey a believable sense of camaraderie and make for a likeable duo as Billy and Stan. Lane Smith oozes smarmy charm as slick prosecutor Jim Trotter. Fred Gwynne infuses his role as Judge Chambers with a dignity and dry wit that ground much of the film's proceedings. Marisa Tomei steals each scene in which she appears, more than earning her Oscar win for her turn as Vinnie's equal parts smart and smart mouthed fiancée, Mona Lisa Vito. Even in the midst of expert comedic performances the film belongs to Joe Pesci who lends what is easily his most complex performance as larger than life underdog Vinny.

Plenty has changed since 1992, but My Cousin Vinny still garners just as many laughs as it did upon its initial release. The script's balance between the realistic and the ridiculous ensures that each punch line still packs a powerful punch. The cast brings the script to life with an expert comedic skill that many comedies could take a cue from today. The verdict is in, My Cousin Vinny is a comedy that is guaranteed to leave the defense, the prosecution, and everyone in between laughing out loud.