The Americanization of Emily (1964)
Directed by Arthur Hiller
Just prior to the D-Day invasion, we meet Lt. Commander Charlie Madison (James Garner), a yellow-bellied dog-robber—loyal to his Admiral at any cost, but somewhat sleazy in his relationships with both British and American forces. Charlie’s room is a notorious surplus of goods in rationed England—he bribes with Hershey’s, he dotes with stockings and gowns. Enter the titular Emily (doe-eyed, virtuous Julie Andrews) who falls in love with Charlie, but refuses to succumb to his cheapening of her values (his, naturally, Americanization). Paddy Chayefsky’s screenplay—expectedly satirical—is an anti-war, anti-establishment tale in his undeniably vitriolic style. The words are timeless, whether it is the barbed cynicism of Charlie’s cowardice, or Emily’s dexterity and levelheadedness keeping this underrated film fresh and afloat decades later. Samantha Vacca (Apr 25, 2pm; Apr 26, 1pm at the Museum of the Moving Image’s “Mad Men‘s Movie Influences”)