Lights! Camera! Action!
There’s nowhere in the United States (or even on planet Earth) quite like: The Big Easy, NoLA, Crescent City, Nawlins, The City That Care Forgot. It’s definitely unique – no matter what you call it.
It’s a city with a rich cultural history that’s driven by a musical scene that lives in the streets as much as it does in the bars lining Frenchman Street. Step out of the French Quarter and into Faubourg Tremé where, in Congo Square, you can stand in the exact spot where jazz was born.
Many movies, et al. are set in New Orleans so it’s hard to know where to start. After many pages of research I decided to bite the bullet and pick three of my favorites – I did not want to write about movies that I haven’t seen. This didn’t seem right. So here goes, starting with my all-time favorite.
“A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE” BY TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
I have read “Streetcar” as a play a least 10 times (perhaps more) and seen the movie version directed by Elia Kazan, with Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh, at least the same number of times. I would really like to see a stage performance of “Streetcar.” It has been revived on Broadway eight times – I missed all of them – but hope springs eternal.
On December 3, 1947 “Streetcar” appeared on Broadway. On opening night the curtain went down to a moment of stunned silence. Then the audience erupted with a round of applause that lasted 30 minutes. Later on, the play sent shock waves around the world with its frank depiction of sexuality and brutality onstage.
In 1997, Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré in New Orleans mounted a 50th Anniversary production. Finally, the most recent production was in 2018 at the Grandel Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri. CLICK HERE to see a clip from Streetcar.
“BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD”
No, this movie is not set in New Orleans – instead, it’s in the town of Montegut, Louisiana (in the bayou) that is a 90-minute drive southwest from New Orleans. No matter, it’s one of my all-time favorite movies so I’m including it.
The first time I watched it I simply couldn’t believe the stellar performance that six-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis (Hushpuppy) gave in this remarkable 2012 film. Or, as she said later, when she was 9-years-old, “I was very nervous after seeing the script because I barely knew how to read.”
That’s hilarious because she really delivered once the camera started rolling. Or, as one reviewer said, “This little heroine has a smile that could charm fish out of the water and a scowl so fierce it can stop monsters in their tracks. She was the youngest person ever nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. CLICK HERE to see scenes from “Beasts of the Southern Wild.
TITLE BILLING: “THE BIG EASY”
I liked this 1987 film as soon as I saw its dramatic opening. And, although some would not agree with me, the esteemed film critic, Roger Ebert did and gave it a glowing review with this comment: “The Big Easy” is one of the richest American films of the year. The movie takes place in New Orleans, that most mysterious of American cities – where you have the feeling you’ll never know what goes on down those shadowy passages.”
The stars of the film are two law enforcement officials Remy (Dennis Quaid), a vice cop and Anne (Ellen Barkin) a special prosecutor for the D.A. The story and characters are great. Or as Remy says early on, “This is Nawlins darlin, the Big Easy! Dancin’s a way of life.” If you haven’t seen this film make sure you do. CLICK HERE to enjoy a clip from this movie.
OTHER FILMS SET IN NOLA
(1) “Cat People” in 1982 with Nastassja Kinski whose father was that madman actor, Klaus Kinski (2) “Déjà Vu” 2006 with Denzel Washington (3) “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans,” 2009 directed by Werner Herzog who said he was going to kill Kinski and pulled a gun on him on the set of “Aguirre, the Wrath of God” (4) “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett (5) A documentary by Spike Lee in 2006 called, “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts” (6) In 2010 Lee returned to NOLA and made, “If God Is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise.”
CLICK HERE for an up-to-date look at The Big Easy. CLICK HERE if you wish to order a guidebook.
Last by not least (7)
Not a film, but a series of 36 episodes in four seasons (2010-13) created by David Simon and called “Tremé” – I watched the whole thing and half the time I didn’t have the slightest idea what was going on – as did lots of folks. When questioned about this, Simon’s answer was so explosive that if I typed it here my computer would blow up. You will never know. CLICK HERE for a look at “Tremé.”
WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? It’s been said repeatedly that going to New Orleans is like visiting a movie set. Everywhere one looks there’s something different – it’s an ever-evolving city that puts its fascinating history front and center. Stay with us and experience life in a charming antebellum mansion – it will take you roughly ten seconds to fall in love.
PLEASE CHECK THE WEB for any additional information about anything we’ve touched on in this blog.
Shaun Nelson-Henrick