The Man in the White Suit

WAIT...this was supposed to be a comedy. I hadn't observed anything that even looked like the intent was for it to be funny, but it was interesting, at times...I guess. No, I take it back.

Charming low-key Ealing comedy never quite explodes as you might like, starting with a fantastical sci-fi premise and using it to engage in some light satire on labour relations, but never really stings in either camp. Guinness’ likable bumbler holds everything together and the fine supporting cast manage their caricatures with an easy grace. Perhaps not the stone cold classic as it is often referred to, but still enjoyable.

In theory this polymer based fabric is bulletproof. If it were woven into a spacesuit style & on-sold to the Allied armed forces, Britain's opposition would engage in a hastily rolled out napalm/ white phosphorus race to counter the new tech. The corporate & civil mechanisms should have sat down, thought laterally & plotted their investments/ stockpiled wisely instead of suppressing this new military break-through. It would have never seen a storefront & still be worth millions. Real capitalism.

It feels a little strange seeing Alec Guinness wearing white instead of brown or translucent blue.

Brilliant satire of industrial society. in the same class with Metropolis and Modern Times.

A bit overrated.

Another solid Ealing Studios comedy. Like the others, I found it more "amusing" than "funny", but that's fine. I enjoyed it as a quick & easy watch, and it's well-constructed with yet another fine performance from Alec Guinness. Like I'm All Right Jack, it touches on a sensitive issue (in this case, scientific progress vs. social & economic welfare) without taking sides. Just when you think it's about to sway too uncomfortably to one side, it makes a case for the other.

For the most part it's a solid comedy but not too spectacular. The acting and direction are good but except for Guinness and the shots of the titular white suit nothing stands out. What brings the movie up a notch is the issue that drives the movie, the conflict between progress and its social ramifications. It's used for comedy but gives you some serious things to think about.

Satire on progress versus the establishment. Loved the way everyone gets ganged-up on the little fellow when big business gets rattled by new ideas. Alec Guinness was a perfect fit for the odd one out and really made the visual composition come to life. The film is brilliantly clever and there is always a sinister feel to every reaction coming.

Very strange satire. It’s kind of fun, but is never very funny or that interesting.

Odd sort of movie. It starts out like Flubber, looking like it will be a sci-fi-ish story. Then the middle is social commentary, seemingly lamenting the propensity of people to accept change. And it ends with a big chase scene. It is a comedy, but not a laugh-a-minute one.

Capital and labour unite against a potential disruptor. The satire is rather weak, however, and it seems as if the writers never figured out an effective ending.

1996 FA Cup Final

A fun tale.

Doesn't offer much in terms of laughs, but entertains in an amusing manner. The commentary on the spirit of industry is on point.

At first it seemed like it would be a comedy but later it seemed like it would be a black comedy/satire but that never quite happens either ultimately it ended up being a off-kilter drama that doesn't work as well as it should've.

The mix of social comment and comedy didn't quite work for me - I cared little for any of the characters.

Let it be known...I love Alec Guinness. His role in this movie is subtly brilliant. The social commentary is so on the money, the acting so solid, the direction so perfect, and the gags so funny that it's a near perfect movie. It's not entirely perfect of course. Its plot drags a bit during its second half (A lot of stuffed suits running around like stooges). Guinness' character, his invention, and the cynical humor are the main highlights. A '80' I say!

#859

Just a harmless little film about scientific progress versus capitalism. Guinness is charming and the story, though simple, never bogs down.

O Homem do Terno Branco estreava há 70 anos em Londres. Gosto demais do cinema do Mackendrick apesar de criminosamente ter filmado pouco, essa sátira política foi uma das melhores coisas que fez e produz os mesmos questionamentos 70 anos depois. Box Versátil Clássicos Sci-fi Volume 6.

Neat little Guinness moral tale with a believable, although fantastic, premise.

805

Brilliant satirical comedy played as farce and put together with meticulous cinematic counterpoint, so that every moment counts and all concerned give of their very best.

Alec Guinness is charming, and there are a few funny slapstick moments. The pros and cons of entrepreneurship theme is fairly smart, but the textile industry isn't exactly interesting. None of the characters outside of Guinness are very likable, and I especially couldn't stand Joan Greenwood.

The subject matter fizzled to an uninteresting degree but at least the level of quality you get from the technical ranges of a Mackendrick film never falters. Barely a comedy but it offers a mild form of alternate enjoyment.

861

# 921

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

The dangers of entrepreneurship and invention in the face of monolithic industry. Guinness is great, and the movie does a decent job of mixing drama with humour, I guess.

A classic.