Wednesday, July 2

Dialogue? What Dialogue?

The Graduate (1967). Mrs. Robinson's house is to die for. And so is her hat & coat!

Since I've been laid up, recuperating I've been watching a lot of movies. I'm a huge fan of film, whether it be still photography or cinematic. No matter the genre, I cannot watch a movie without wondering about or admiring the set decoration. I think I'm definitely a visual person, so quite often, if a set is really incredible I might lose myself in it, rather than the words the actors are speaking. I can't help it, because some of the sets I see on screen are incredibly designed and completely draw me in. I fall in love with the look and feel of a room, a street, or a cafe setting in New York City.

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), my very favorite film, ever.
Especially Holly Golightly's apartment during the fab party scene.

And sometimes it's even the wardrobe, because fashion so often dictates design - interior and otherwise. And what a fantastic job: here's a bunch of money. Make this look retro 70's. Or 50's fabulous. Film noir. Or a French period piece. No matter what the era, make it look authentic so audiences believe the scene. How fun is that? I've searched out some of my favorite films with sets that have mesmerized me and other film going fans; it's not been easy to narrow it down. So I've listed some of the films I think will inspire you, and represent the beauty and magic of film. These are some of my personal favorites that you might like to add to your Netflix list, too.

Shampoo (1975).
Bouffant hair, low cut jeans and vintage L.A. party scenes.


Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994).
The decor in this film screams retro seventies cool.


Of course, Amelie (2001).
Who could forget this magical movie?


Chinatown (1974).
Everything about Roman Polanski's film is Los Angeles circa 1933 - amazing.



Good Night, And Good Luck (2005).
Great black and white cinema with a 50's feel.



To Catch A Thief (1955), set in the fabulous French Riviera.
Only Cary Grant can pull off a polka-dotted ascot.


L.A. Confidential (1997).
Amazing L.A. 50's film noir. You'll love Kim Basinger's deco bungalow.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

the patterns and textures in both the apartment scenes and wardrobe are amazing in the Chinese movie "In the Mood for Love"

FancyPants-design said...

Some of my favotite movies!! :-) Hope you are recuperating nicely.. I just found a Breakfast at Tiffany's tub/couch(on blog)ha.

Anonymous said...

I loved everything in the apartment in that movie "Green Card."

sfb said...

Add Rosemary's Baby to your list while you recoup! I was too scared to watch it for so long and once I did I couln't take my eyes off her outfits and the interiors.

studio wellspring said...

great movie list ~ we have similar taste! i'd also add casablanca...because that's on every list for me. ;o)

Jaimee McClellan said...

All fabulous picks! Especially Amelie - I just love the color scheme! So magical and dreamy!

Barb McMahon and Alan Mailloux said...

Possession - based on the novel by A.S. Byatt has gorgeous sets in beautiful, soft colours.

And I have absolutely no idea what The Italian Job (the remake) is about, since they set the first twenty minutes or so in Venice. I was lost....

Anonymous said...

Did you see - there was an issue of Domino recently - maybe in the past 3 -4 months, where they re-made the living room in Mrs. Robinson's house...

Fantastic! All zebra stripes, white, black, and big green plants. Mike Nichols wanted that room to be as much of a "jungle" as possible so Benjamin would feel trapped...

MELI. said...

These are all great! my faves are all the hitchcock ones also.
French movies always have the best hair Girl on the bridge(vanessa paradis), À bout de souffle (Breathless) Le mépris (Bridget Bardott) and Bleu (Juliette Binoche)
-
oh I love them all. also in TV im in love with the wardrobe in the show 'pushing daisies' so fab!

Teal Chic said...

Oh how I LOOOOOOVE Cary Grant. He could pull ANYTHING off!