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Rating:  - Not as wonderful as I'd hoped.
This movie, only now out on DVD, does not impress me as a classic. It's slow. The writing is adequate. The characters are not that engaging. It's not baaad. It's just nothing to write home about.
Rating:  - A Perfect Classic Film by the great Minnelli
I thought I had seen all of Vincente Minnelli's greatest films, well, I was so wrong... 'The Clock' is truly comparable to his great 'Meet Me in St. Louis', 'Gigi', 'The Band Wagon'... He has so many great classics, but I believe this one may be his third best.
As it starts you don't expect anything great: an aerial view of New York, Central Station, lots of people going on their daily routines... it goes increscendo though. And how! This is the romantic story of a young soldier (Robert Walker) in 1945 who has a couple of free days to spend in NYC before returning to serve in the Army (probably to go to England). He's never been in the big city before but he will meet a girl (Judy Garland) who will show him around. Love is in the making meanwhile, but there's only 2 days to spend. What can happen in two days? Well, that's exactly what they both are thinking too, while watching at the "clock" to see how much time is left for them together (more rapport between the characters and the viewers is hardly possible).
I say this film is perfect because it looks so simple, its story, its characters... it must be really difficult to tell when there's not that much plot going on. But the viewer gets so involved with these young couple that he won't have time to blink. I mean, every second of film is purposeful, meaningful, and beautiful. You can't do more with less. That's why Minnelli is one of the greatest American directors, comparable to Ford, Hawks, Vidor... Personally, it took me some minutes to forget Robert Walker's role in 'Strangers on a train', which left an indelible impression on me. He wouldn't be my first choice at all for this role, but he is fine. A must see classic.
Rating: - The Clock
They just don't make movies like this any more. I enjoyed it and the fact that Judy did not sing in the movie reinforces the nature of the love story. In other words you are not put aside listening to music instead of concentrating on the love between two people. If you never saw this movie, you do not know what you are missing.
Rating: - The Clock - Great Movie
This is a great movie for any JudyGarland fan out there. I was happy to add this one to my collection!
Rating: - nearly perfect
This is just an all around great film with beautifully photographed images and superb acting throughout. Why didn't Judy Garland make more straight dramatic pictures? The Clock was made in a day before "realism" was incorporated into movies and it is interesting to see that even when a story about everyday people is put on film by MGM, the gloss is still apparent. It is a product of its time but nonetheless beautiful to watch and very moving at times.
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