Our Man in Havana (1959)
This film has a slow start, so make sure you commit to watching it before you rent it. It’s an espionage drama, starring Alec Guinness who gets recruited as a secret spy while living in Havana with his daughter. He’s a vacuum cleaner salesman, and he keeps up the pretense while recruiting and working with agents. There are moments of humor, but just when you think you’re in a comedy, some scenes are incredibly dark. I suppose the switch is to mirror Alec’s precarious situation: one moment he’s schmoozing at the country club, and the next he’s fighting for his life.
In a hilarious scene, Alec mistakenly believes he can have a “secret code” conversation with an ambassador in the country club. He repeats what was done to him during his initiation, following the man to the bathroom, turning on the faucet so they won’t be overheard, and saying, “You make yourself comfortable in [the stall] and I’ll tell you what we’re going to do.” The ambassador gets very upset and says he’s making a huge mistake. But in a serious scene, Burl Ives warns Alec that he’s going to be poisoned during the banquet, and Alec has to refuse his food and drink without looking suspicious.
Maureen O’Hara, ageless and beautiful, is Alec’s secretary and love interest, and Ralph Richardson is one of the top honchos who keep tabs on “our man in Havana.” It has a big cast but if you’re not in the mood for it, you probably won’t like it. You’ve got to laugh, feel scared, and above all, pay attention.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Twenty minutes before the end (after the game of checkers) the camera tilts back and forth a few times and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Alec Guinness movies here!
More Maureen O'Hara movies here!
In a hilarious scene, Alec mistakenly believes he can have a “secret code” conversation with an ambassador in the country club. He repeats what was done to him during his initiation, following the man to the bathroom, turning on the faucet so they won’t be overheard, and saying, “You make yourself comfortable in [the stall] and I’ll tell you what we’re going to do.” The ambassador gets very upset and says he’s making a huge mistake. But in a serious scene, Burl Ives warns Alec that he’s going to be poisoned during the banquet, and Alec has to refuse his food and drink without looking suspicious.
Maureen O’Hara, ageless and beautiful, is Alec’s secretary and love interest, and Ralph Richardson is one of the top honchos who keep tabs on “our man in Havana.” It has a big cast but if you’re not in the mood for it, you probably won’t like it. You’ve got to laugh, feel scared, and above all, pay attention.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Twenty minutes before the end (after the game of checkers) the camera tilts back and forth a few times and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Alec Guinness movies here!
More Maureen O'Hara movies here!