[watch] Ad Men at the Movies
Instead of mourning the end of another season of Mad Men, dip into the world of advertising with one of these feature-length films, available through Netflix or at your local video store.
Agency (1980) When I watched this recently, it was obvious that the DVD had been burned from an old and scratched film reel. It surprised me that the film had been watched so much that it was scratched, but then it does star Lee Majors in the lead role and he was pretty dreamy back in the day. The film is set in an ad agency where Majors, as creative director, is battling Robert Mitchum, a millionaire who recently bought the agency–seemingly on a whim–and is making creative changes that Majors’ character neither likes or understands. Valerie Perrine makes an appearance and Saul Rubinek plays a supporting role that showcases his acting talents rather nicely (and earned him a Genie nomination). Rubinek is actually the best part of the film, which isn’t bad if you can get past Majors’ “acting” and a relatively predicable plot.
Helvetica (2007) Part history lesson and part geeky love story (about, yes, a font) this is essentially a film about typography. But it’s more than that really. This documentary explores visual culture and how it permeates almost every aspect of our lives. It’s been screened in more than 40 countries and is truly universal. If you work in communications–even remotely–you simply must watch this film. Consider it professional development; education. And if you do something else for a living, you’re bound to communicate with someone, somewhere, sometime. You too will learn from this film, even if you find it a bit odd. Get your hands on a DVD or look for it (as well as filmmaker Gary Hustwit’s new film, Objectified) this month when it airs on KPTS as part of Independent Lens.
Crazy People (1990) Regardless of how dated it is now, this film will always have a place in my heart. Dudley Moore plays a stressed out ad man that takes a respite in a sanitarium to save his job. Daryl Hannah is more annoying (that voice) than endearing as his love interest and Paul Reiser plays the best friend/account man on a single level. But who cares? It’s the crazy people who are the stars of this film. You’ll recognize a lot of faces and you’ll remember the ad campaigns for the rest of your life. This is a fun one.
Funny Face (1957) One face; two words: Audrey Hepburn. If that’s not enough, then just imagine Fred Astaire in a thinly veiled depiction of famed fashion photographer Richard Avedon and Kay Thompson as the editor of a leading fashion magazine (think 1950’s version of Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada) desperately searching for the next trend, their next super model when they stumble across dear Audrey, working in a bookstore. It’s not Pygmalion (My Fair Lady wasn’t until 1964) but darn near close. This film was nominated for a slew of awards. It’s pretty, it’s fun and its musical numbers are a more for Astaire to dance than for others in the cast to sing.
What Women Want (2000) By no means will this film ever be considered a classic. But it has some redeeming qualities and works brilliantly as a double feature with Agency because Valerie Perrine plays a role in both and because both films feature a leading man who is better known for his looks than his talent. In this case our adman, Mel Gibson, has a strong supporting cast who really do carry the film (although Mel has his moments). Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei, Alan Alda and cutie pie Mark Feuerstein are only a few of the names and faces you’ll recognize in this film about an advertising executive who gains the power to hear what women are thinking. When he does, his personal life and his professional life… Well, it’s a comedy; you can image the wild and wacky changes that occur in Mel’s life.
Although there is no substitute for Don Draper, hopefully these movies will help get you through the long months without the folks at Sterling Cooper.
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