Sidney Lumet’s jury room drama 12 Angry Men is lauded as being a classic by many. Given all of the impressive things that this film does, it would be hard to dispute that claim. But there can be some negative connotations that come along with something being called a classic, in addition to all the positives. Classic means old, it means of a different time. Despite all of the things that 12 Angry Men does right, there are aspects of it that feel dated to me. The pointedness of it’s themes, the mechanical way in which the characters each learn a lesson, the way the poignant moments are so dramatically framed; they all reflect a film that lacks the subtle touch of the best of modern cinema. That being said, the way that Lumet is able to set the stakes, hold your interest, build tension, and develop each of the jury members into easily identifiable individuals, all while never leaving the jury room, is an impressive feat. He mostly does it through nuts and bolts filmmaking, through sticking to storytelling rules that should be drilled into everyone in filmmaking 101; but what this film proves is that the basics is all you need. Well, that and a great cast. Lumet sticks to what works so strictly, and utilizes the full possibilities of film as an artistic medium so habitually, that he ends up looking like a virtuoso. If only it was so easy for everyone. 12 Angry Men is an important, well made film; but it’s just not one that remains fresh and timeless when looked at through modern eyes. Fortunately, Lumet was able to achieve that feat later in his career with other films.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Short Round: 12 Angry Men (1957) ***/*****
Sidney Lumet’s jury room drama 12 Angry Men is lauded as being a classic by many. Given all of the impressive things that this film does, it would be hard to dispute that claim. But there can be some negative connotations that come along with something being called a classic, in addition to all the positives. Classic means old, it means of a different time. Despite all of the things that 12 Angry Men does right, there are aspects of it that feel dated to me. The pointedness of it’s themes, the mechanical way in which the characters each learn a lesson, the way the poignant moments are so dramatically framed; they all reflect a film that lacks the subtle touch of the best of modern cinema. That being said, the way that Lumet is able to set the stakes, hold your interest, build tension, and develop each of the jury members into easily identifiable individuals, all while never leaving the jury room, is an impressive feat. He mostly does it through nuts and bolts filmmaking, through sticking to storytelling rules that should be drilled into everyone in filmmaking 101; but what this film proves is that the basics is all you need. Well, that and a great cast. Lumet sticks to what works so strictly, and utilizes the full possibilities of film as an artistic medium so habitually, that he ends up looking like a virtuoso. If only it was so easy for everyone. 12 Angry Men is an important, well made film; but it’s just not one that remains fresh and timeless when looked at through modern eyes. Fortunately, Lumet was able to achieve that feat later in his career with other films.
