Kind Hearts and Coronets

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) is so many things: a study in early 2oth century British class structure, a chilling tale of methodical revenge, a bitingly funny examination of a man caught between his humble past and his high ambitions, and a showcase for Alec Guiness's considerable acting talents. Above all, Coronets is a really great, really enjoyable film.

Louis Mazzini grows up in suburban London in the early 20th century, eking out an existence as a clothier's apprentice and living with his mother, a disowned member of the noble House of D'Ascoyne. Repeated attempts by Louis's moher to contact the D'Ascoynes to sponsor her son's vocational growth meet with cold refusal.

After his mother's dying request to be buried in the D'Ascoyne family vault is once again refused, Louis hatches a plot to eliminate the remaining D'Ascoyne's, therby exacting his revenge and bringing himself closer to inheriting the dukedom.

Arrayed against him are a veritable army of Alec Guinesses. Guiness portrays no less than 8 of the D'Ascoynes, including memorable turns as a crotchity and drunken parson, the painfully haughty Ascoyne D'Ascoyne II, and a burly sufragette. Guiness submerges completely within each character, playing each to a T and never over the top. This is the stuff of Eddie Murphy's wildest dreams.

As truly awesome as Guiness's performances are, the real star of this movie is Dennis Price as the cold, polite, and methodical Louis. He barely hesitates to murder those he deems in his way, but he also oozes a cool British charm. His wit is razor sharp, but you'd be hard-pressed not to say thank you after he insults you.

And the film is carried along by Louis's internal monologue in the form of a voice-over. I am not usually a fan of voice-overs. They don't usually add anything to the film, and they are often distracting (think Harrison Ford's disinterested ramblings in the theatrical cut of Blade Runner). But Price's voice never wavers and never bores. It serves as a running memoir, a diary of Louis's murderous motivations.

Highly recommended. A true classic. See this movie now.

The Reverend says: 9/10.