Green Grow the Lilacs

Author(s): Michael
Location: Oklahoma

"Green Grow the Lilacs"

Directed by James Mangold
Adapted by James Mangold
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Original Score by John Barry

Main Cast
Keri Russell - Laurie Williams
Paul Walker- Curly McLaine
Thomas Kretschmann- Jud Fry
Anna Friel- Ado Annie Carns
Ryan Stiles- Ali Hackam
Tim Blake Nelson- Will Parker
Andrea Martin -Aunt Eller

Tagline: "You cain’t say no!"

Synopsis: Laurie, and Oklahoma farm girl, seems to be the center of every man’s attention. She’s being courted by her childhood sweetheart Curly, and the obsessive farm hand Jud Fry. While, she is in love with Curly, it seems so obvious that they should be together. In order to find some closure in the situation, she consults her best friend, Ado Annie, who is having her own problems in the game of love. Annie has to choose between the Persian Peddler, Ali Hackam and the talented cowboy Will Parker, she can’t seem to choose which is better for her. Since Annie is no help, Laurie turns to her Aunt Eller, who tells her to follow her heart, but not to hurt anyone on the way. Laurie chooses Curly because he loves her and she loves him and they fit together perfectly. Finding that Laurie had success with asking her Aunt about what to do, Ado Annie decides to do the same and comes to the conclusion that she should marry Will because he is spontaneous like she is. Laurie’s decision doesn’t go over well with the jealous Jud as he chooses to try and kill Curly so that he can marry Laurie himself. So when Jud attacks Curly, Curly ends up killing Jud in self-defense. Because Curly killed Jud, technically he should have to await trial for his crime, but because he and Laurie are to be married the next day and then go on their honeymoon the judge finds Curly not guilty after a short examination. So Laurie and Curly, as well as Ado Annie and Will, all marry and live a happy life in the territory that soon becomes Oklahoma.

What the Press would say:
Green Grow the Lilacs was originally written for the stage in 1931 by Lynn Riggs and was later adapted in the classic musical, Oklahoma! written by Oscar Hammerstein II with a lovely score by Richard Rogers. The groundbreaking musical revolutionized Broadway and Hammerstein gave all the credit to Riggs for his brilliant script. In the tradition of Riggs and Hammerstein, James Mangold has kept most of the first-rate dialogue, but changed it up and bit and changed it for the better. Filled with everything needed for a perfect film, Green Grow the Lilacs proves that superior films can be made. James directs the movie wonderfully and made every second enjoyable. His directing is even better on the actors, who are fantastic in their roles. Paul Walker gives a great performance as Curly the Cowboy and though it was a bit of a risk casting him, it was worth it. His comedic timing is fine, and he is great for the role. Tim Blake Nelson is very funny as the comical Will Parker and gives the best performance of his career. Surprisingly he has great roping skills and I looked forward to the scenes he was in. Keri Russell gives the best leading female performance of the year as the adorable Laurie and is perfect in everyway. She immersed in this role and she really is Laurie Williams. Russell is perfectly cast and really shines in the all-star cast. Anna Friel, from TV’s Pushing Daises, is the loveable Ado Annie and is really funny in her role. Her performance is great and she is really entertaining. The male performance of the year has to be Ryan Stiles from Whose Line is it Anyway as the Persian Peddler, Ali Hackam. Stiles is absolutely hilarious in the role and is perfectly cast. His performance is one for the record books and is remarkable coming from a man who is pretty new to films. Bottom Line, Green Grow the Lilacs is the best film of the year and a definite must see. Filled with everything needed for an engaging motion picture and even more than that, it will be a classic that lasts forever.

FYC:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor- Paul Walker
Best Actress- Keri Russell
Best Supporting Actor- Tim Blake Nelson
Best Supporting Actor- Ryan Stiles
Best Supporting Actress- Anna Friel
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Editing