The Sound of Music (A+ or 4/4 stars)
'The Sound of Music' (based on the true story of the von Trapp Family Singers & directed by Robert Wise) stars Julie Andrews as Maria, a young nun in an Austrian Abbey/convent who normally misses her morning prayers because she loves going to the nearby hills to sing the titular song. She means SO well; she really does. But she's always getting into trouble. Deciding that Maria needs to learn about the real world before she can take her final vows, the wise Mother Superior (Peggy Wood) sends her away to be governess for the children of the stern naval captain Georg von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), who is widowed. Arriving at the enormous & lavish von Trapp home, Maria quickly discovers that her new boss is stoic, cold, & fairly aloof.
Furthermore, his 7(!) children come across like robots - at least - whenever dad is around. Otherwise, the kids are nightmares; as evidenced by the fact that Maria is the latest in a longgg line of governesses. But Maria soon wins-over the initially uncooperative children by sharing her unabashed love of music with them. She especially wins-over the 16 yr. old daughter Liesl (Charmain Carr), who happens to be in love with a 17 yr. old messenger named Rolf. As time progresses, The Captain's friend Max wants the children to sing at a local festival, but Capt. von Trapp refuses. But when the captain hosts an elegant ball, he starts to notice Maria more than he should (he's been wooing the Baroness, wonderfully-played by Eleanor Parker). At the same time, Nazi sympathizers are moving into his beloved Austria and preparing to take over -- and he'll be expected to join them.
As Maria, herself, starts to fall in love with Capt. von Trapp, she departs in the night back to the Abbey so she cannot complicate his impending marriage to said glamorous baroness. But the 7 kids simply insist that Maria returns ... the Baroness nobly steps aside; recognizing the palpable chemistry btwn. the captain & Maria - as confirmed with their sweet love song, "Something Good". Their happiness does not last long, however, as they return home from their honeymoon upon the Nazis marching into Austria. Swastikas are already hung on the von Trapp home. And Liesl's boyfriend Rolf has turned against her by joining the Third Reich. The biggest blow happens when Georg is called back to duty in the service of none other than the Fuhrer. The Captain hates Nazism, & realizes that he must make dangerous plans to take himself & his entire family out of Austria before it's too late.
Simply put - to me - 'The Sound of Music' is one of the greatest entertainments of all-time. Fresh from her Oscar winning performance in Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews absolutely owns the indescribably winning role of Maria. The role isn't hard for Andrews, but she is effortless & completely captivates. To me, it's one of the most glorious & iconic female roles & performances in the history of cinema. Christopher Plummer also wows in a handsome portrayal of Capt. von Trapp. Though he's initially crabby, his cold exterior starts to melt & he becomes another embraceable, winning character in a large canon of movie heroes. The young actor/actresses playing 7 von Trapp children all stand-out with distinct characteristics. As mentioned, Eleanor Parker holds attention as the baroness. Peggy Wood is great in the small, but pivotal role of the all-knowing Mother Superior. Everyone in the cast - from top to bottom - enchants in one way or another.
From a visual standpoint, 'The Sound of Music' is also a wonder. Right from the beginning, the opening establishing aerial shots of the Austrian countryside set the mood - and THEN - Julie Andrews appears atop the lush hillside against a backdrop of the mountains while bursting into song ... I was amazed. This is the 1st moment of pure, brilliant cinematography on display; and it carries through the rest of the film. Every image onscreen makes me melt with delight. Another visual treat that comes to mind is the soft focus lighting & lensing of the Maria/Capt. von Trapp duet, "Something Good". The sets/locales are gorgeous. The costumes (of all sorts - ball gowns, play clothes) are wonderful. And, of course ... the movie is filled with glorious goose bump inducing songs, composed by the legendary Rodgers & Hammerstein ("The Sound of Music", "Maria", "Confidence", "Do-Re-Mi," "My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss, "The Lonely Goatherd", "So Long, Farewell", the emotional "Climb Evr'y Mountain", I could go on & on).
There is charming humor in the script. There is drama. There are swoony moments for hopeless romantics to enjoy. There's also a lot of tension in the film; especially near the end when the Nazi subplot kick into high gear. Rolf, the beau of Liesl becomes so committed to the Nazis that he's willing to betray his girlfriend & her entire family. Austria has to make an expedient choice to join the Nazis or not. The von Trapps must react quickly. Even the nuns in the Maria's abbey must make a choice -- the last 30 minutes or so of this film had me on the edge of my seat. What more can I say? How else can I praise? This classic motion picture is rich in character, music, story, & is filled with positive messages for audiences of all ages. Even simpler, it just provides movie magic. It's what we go to the movies for ... to escape into a world that is different than our own & love what we're experiencing.
Furthermore, his 7(!) children come across like robots - at least - whenever dad is around. Otherwise, the kids are nightmares; as evidenced by the fact that Maria is the latest in a longgg line of governesses. But Maria soon wins-over the initially uncooperative children by sharing her unabashed love of music with them. She especially wins-over the 16 yr. old daughter Liesl (Charmain Carr), who happens to be in love with a 17 yr. old messenger named Rolf. As time progresses, The Captain's friend Max wants the children to sing at a local festival, but Capt. von Trapp refuses. But when the captain hosts an elegant ball, he starts to notice Maria more than he should (he's been wooing the Baroness, wonderfully-played by Eleanor Parker). At the same time, Nazi sympathizers are moving into his beloved Austria and preparing to take over -- and he'll be expected to join them.
As Maria, herself, starts to fall in love with Capt. von Trapp, she departs in the night back to the Abbey so she cannot complicate his impending marriage to said glamorous baroness. But the 7 kids simply insist that Maria returns ... the Baroness nobly steps aside; recognizing the palpable chemistry btwn. the captain & Maria - as confirmed with their sweet love song, "Something Good". Their happiness does not last long, however, as they return home from their honeymoon upon the Nazis marching into Austria. Swastikas are already hung on the von Trapp home. And Liesl's boyfriend Rolf has turned against her by joining the Third Reich. The biggest blow happens when Georg is called back to duty in the service of none other than the Fuhrer. The Captain hates Nazism, & realizes that he must make dangerous plans to take himself & his entire family out of Austria before it's too late.
Simply put - to me - 'The Sound of Music' is one of the greatest entertainments of all-time. Fresh from her Oscar winning performance in Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews absolutely owns the indescribably winning role of Maria. The role isn't hard for Andrews, but she is effortless & completely captivates. To me, it's one of the most glorious & iconic female roles & performances in the history of cinema. Christopher Plummer also wows in a handsome portrayal of Capt. von Trapp. Though he's initially crabby, his cold exterior starts to melt & he becomes another embraceable, winning character in a large canon of movie heroes. The young actor/actresses playing 7 von Trapp children all stand-out with distinct characteristics. As mentioned, Eleanor Parker holds attention as the baroness. Peggy Wood is great in the small, but pivotal role of the all-knowing Mother Superior. Everyone in the cast - from top to bottom - enchants in one way or another.
From a visual standpoint, 'The Sound of Music' is also a wonder. Right from the beginning, the opening establishing aerial shots of the Austrian countryside set the mood - and THEN - Julie Andrews appears atop the lush hillside against a backdrop of the mountains while bursting into song ... I was amazed. This is the 1st moment of pure, brilliant cinematography on display; and it carries through the rest of the film. Every image onscreen makes me melt with delight. Another visual treat that comes to mind is the soft focus lighting & lensing of the Maria/Capt. von Trapp duet, "Something Good". The sets/locales are gorgeous. The costumes (of all sorts - ball gowns, play clothes) are wonderful. And, of course ... the movie is filled with glorious goose bump inducing songs, composed by the legendary Rodgers & Hammerstein ("The Sound of Music", "Maria", "Confidence", "Do-Re-Mi," "My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss, "The Lonely Goatherd", "So Long, Farewell", the emotional "Climb Evr'y Mountain", I could go on & on).
There is charming humor in the script. There is drama. There are swoony moments for hopeless romantics to enjoy. There's also a lot of tension in the film; especially near the end when the Nazi subplot kick into high gear. Rolf, the beau of Liesl becomes so committed to the Nazis that he's willing to betray his girlfriend & her entire family. Austria has to make an expedient choice to join the Nazis or not. The von Trapps must react quickly. Even the nuns in the Maria's abbey must make a choice -- the last 30 minutes or so of this film had me on the edge of my seat. What more can I say? How else can I praise? This classic motion picture is rich in character, music, story, & is filled with positive messages for audiences of all ages. Even simpler, it just provides movie magic. It's what we go to the movies for ... to escape into a world that is different than our own & love what we're experiencing.