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Freaktana A Major Disappointment

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Catherina If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Eric266 Parnell is one of those costume dramas that had a good idea, but the execution just didn't work. I'm a huge Gable and Loy fan, but it was hard sitting through this movie. As perfect as Gable would be as Rhett Butler two years later, he was completely wrong for Parnell. Equally, Myrna Loy was tremendous as Nora Charles in the two Thin Man movies prior to this film, but the chemistry between her and Gable in this film is bad, real bad. The love affair felt rushed and poorly scripted and the two actors, who were really good together in Manhattan Melodrama and Wife Vs. Secretary, just didn't seem to connect in this film. It makes me think it was either the writing or the directing.As far as the historical aspects go, this is also poorly handled. The romance between Parnell and the married Katie O'Shea was more sordid and scandalous than depicted in the movie. Parnell fathered three children with Katie which is never mentioned. Parnell also sported a full beard which Gable refused to do. Lastly, Parnell was a more sensitive character while Gable plays him as he does most of his roles, a man's man. This movie also nearly cost us Gable playing Rhett Butler. The reception and box office on this movie was so bad, Gable threatened never to do another historical costume drama and had to be convinced to play Rhett Butler. Whew. Thank god he changed his mind.If you like the actors involved, its a nice companion to some of their other pairings, but its easily the worst films of their careers.

mrturk182 It's been roughly over 80 years now, and anyone who really likes to keep up with the entire history of film is still wondering how the heck did this dud ever came about. It has a lot of promising elements. It has Clark Gable and Myrna Loy, both phenomenal actors, and John M. Stahl, who's done pretty good films before. But for some reason, they weren't bringing their best to this biopic about the Irish politician Parnell. For brilliant actors, both Gable and Loy are uninvested, and their chemistry is unconvincing. If something like that's going to happen, it would have to come down to the direction of Stahl. He had no idea how to properly interpret this real-life story, which got padded down by too much fluff, inaccuracy, and a running time that leaves you bored out of your mind. And whoever did the makeup job on Gable should've been fired. Yeah, there's some cinematic intergrity to be found here, but for the most part, it was an off day for the talented people at the forefront of this movie. Eh, it happens.Score: 27/100

wes-connors After a two-month visit to America, Irish-accented Clark Gable (as Charles Stewart Parnell) returns to 1880 Ireland. There, he is treated like an uncrowned King. As you might have guessed, the English oppose Mr. Gable's advocacy of independence for the Irish. Gable is drawn into an uneasy political alliance with Alan Marshal (as William "Willie" O'Shea) and begins a relationship with Mr. Marshall's wife, Myrna Loy (as Katie Wood). His enemies use Gable's affair with Ms. Loy for political gain...This fine looking MGM production is clearly dependent upon a captivating and passionate lead performance from its star. A subdued Gable is unable deliver. Distracting in his fluctuating sideburns, Gable does not excel in biographical characterizations. They should have shipped it to Paul Muni at Warner Bros. Or, made the story more exciting. This is an unexciting adaptation of the Irish hero's life. The romance with Loy is also a bore. And, the direction given by John M. Stahl makes it feel twice as long.*** Parnell (6/4/37) John M. Stahl ~ Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Alan Marshal, Edna May Oliver

Hans C. Frederick I'm inclined to agree with the other reviewers who have commented on the fact that Gable was the wrong man for this particular job.It might bear some discussion as to why this might have been so.Gable's screen persona was that of a "man's man."Hearty,frank,forthright,generous,and good natured.You'd find yourself enjoying his company,if only for an evening.(Let's not get into the fact that his camping trips were manufactured for screen publicity,or the rumors of his having been a hustler at the bus depot.We've all done things that we've been ashamed of.)But Gable was a broad actor;truly subtle work was beyond him.And nobility and sensitivity weren't with his range,either.He did what he could do very well.But not with this.I keep thinking that Ronald Colman,Walter Pigeon,and Errol Flynn all would have been better choices.