SoTrumpBelieve Must See Movie...

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

blanche-2 Maggie Smith is the aunt in "Travels with my Aunt," a 1972 film also starring Alec McCowen, Lou Gossett Jr. and Robert Stephens, and is directed by George Cukor.The movie centers around an old woman, Augusta (Smith) approaching her nephew Henry (McCowen) at his mother's funeral and pulling him into her web. She's trying to raise money to ransom her current boyfriend, Mr. Visconti, from kidnappers as she is receiving his body parts one by one. Before stuffy Henry knows it, she's suggested he steal money from the bank (he won't), his mother's ashes have cannabis in them, and they are on the Orient Express shooting across Europe. As they travel, he learns more about his aunt's life as she tells her story in flashback, including when she first met Mr. Visconti.This is a beautifully produced film, with gorgeous color, costumes, and scenery. Despite the production values and the cast, there is something not quite there with the story. Part of it is because we have no idea what's true and what isn't. Something like the Chinatown she's my sister/my daughter, Henry is either Augusta's son, her nephew, or she just lied to him at the funeral because she needed someone with access to money. Her stories of men, her time in the convent school and as a high-class call girl are either true, embellished, or complete lies. Mr. Visconti is either Henry's father or he isn't. Given the timing of this announcement - when Henry is wavering about pulling a scam - one wonders. So while we may like Augusta and think she's funny, she can't anchor the story.Lou Gossett, Jr. plays Augusta's wacky assistant who's into everything from drugs to mysticism, with a personality that can change in a second. He is hilarious. Alec McCowen plays the uptight Henry perfectly, secretly loving the adventure and the worlds it opens up to him while being a nervous wreck at each new moment. Smith's real-life husband, Robert Stephens, is great as Visconti. He was a fantastic actor who should have done more films. Cindy Williams is very good as a young, free-living woman Henry meets on the train.Maggie Smith is one of my favorite actresses. I am so privileged to have seen her on Broadway in "Lettice and Lovage," in which she was side-splittingly funny yet tugs at the heartstrings toward the end of the play. She's a phenomenal stage actress. Maybe a little big for the movies. Personally, I like performances that take a lot of risks, and her characterization of Augusta was out there. After all, wasn't Augusta? If we go on the premise that she's exaggerating and lying when it suits her, I think Smith's take on Augusta is excellent.Katharine Hepburn was the first choice for this role. I frankly think the film, for all the faults it has, would have crashed and burned with Hepburn. She was a fabulous actress and as a young woman an expert comedienne with superb timing and rapid-fire delivery, but I think in this role she would not have had the necessary flamboyance. While Smith didn't necessarily pull off the youth in the flashbacks, Hepburn, 27 years older than Smith, couldn't have approached them or being a high-class call girl. I think seeing another actress do this role would make one appreciate Smith's contribution even more.All in all, a film with some fun moments and fine performances, definitely worth seeing.

dglink Dull stuffy bachelor meets flamboyant eccentric aunt, who seeks to show him the world's pleasures. Sound familiar? While based on a Graham Greene novel, "Travels with My Aunt" plays on screen like a subdued version of "Auntie Mame." Unlike the rowdy broadness of the Patrick Dennis play and the Rosalind Russell film, George Cukor's adaptation of the Greene work tries to be high-toned and literary, while simultaneously striving to seem madcap and funny. Unfortunately, the film succeeds more in its pretentiousness than it does in its comedy.Alec McCowen is fine as Henry Pulling, the bank clerk who fusses with dahlias in his spare time and fumes prissily when cannabis is mixed with the ashes of his mother. Henry is a prime candidate for an Auntie Mame, although he's a bit beyond his formative years. Henry's out-of-character dalliance aboard the Orient Express with Cindy Williams, as a young drifter on her way to Katmandu, should have been cut. The tryst adds nothing to the plot and only confuses perceptions about Henry. Maggie Smith, at times stunningly garbed in luscious gowns by Anthony Powell, plays Aunt Augusta for all she's worth, and Maggie is certainly worth a great deal. Although the actress is clearly too old to play the younger Augusta and too young, even with the age makeup, to play the elder woman, Smith is always fascinating to watch. Despite her mannerisms, which at times overwhelm the characterization, Smith is generally convincing and should have taken a shot at playing Mame Dennis in either the comedy or the musical version of "Auntie Mame." Although "Travels with My Aunt" was beautifully filmed by Douglas Slocombe against scenic splendor that stretches from Istanbul to Venice to Spain, the pace is often sluggish, and the plot preposterous. The proceedings are propelled by Augusta's need to raise the ransom money to rescue a former lover, whose minor appendages are being sent to her one by one as a warning. However, coincidences abound, plot holes deepen, and threads are left hanging all over. Without McCowen and Smith, the film would be little more than a stylish, if soporific, travelogue.

kseenarth Saw it in Vietnam the year it was released, and it did what a movie is supposed to do - took me somewhere else, and made me forget reality for a while. Any movie that could hold the attention of a bunch of GI's under those circumstances has to be entertaining! Haven't seen the movie in over 30 years, but can recall enjoying it. What more can be expected of a movie?My recollection is the main character reminded me of a composite of two of my own aunts. Made me laugh. I'm usually not too keen on period-movies, but this one didn't overdo the genre.Good cinematography.

Brigid O Sullivan (wisewebwoman) I was disappointed in this as so much is just great.Cindy Williams is terrific as a hippy-dippy train passenger. Alec McCowan is wonderful as the bewildered strait-laced nephew who gradually allows himself to cut loose from his narrowly defined life. It was great to hear and see a much different Lou Gossett, with outrageous robes and an odd African accent that works in this. The location shooting was beautifully done, particularly in Paris.Maggie Smith's performance (and I am a fan of Maggie's) was just too loud, too dramatic, just way too over the top, so that when her sad side emerged, it came across as equally phony. Her makeup as a very much older woman is flawless and when she played her younger self, it was a much more controlled performance.I think Maggie could have used better direction here. A great story that at some time needs to be filmed again. Alec Mc Cowan's performance makes it highly watchable. He gets is just right.I gave it a 7 out of 10.