

Movie spotlight
1 P.M.
Lighter and livelier than the films Jean-Luc Godard had made in France, his U.S. collaboration with Direct Cinema documentarian D. A. Pennebaker was meant to be One A.M., as in “one American movie”; but Godard quit the project and the U.S., where to his dismay he discovered that revolution wasn’t imminent, and Pennebaker edited Godard’s material, to which he and Richard Leacock even added a bit more, releasing the result as One P.M., as in “one parallel movie.” It’s a stunning mixture of cinéma-vérité, political theater, and interviews of key sixties figures.
Insights
Plot Summary
A wealthy and powerful, but dying, businessman attempts to reconcile with his estranged family and confront his past mistakes during his final day. As he navigates complex relationships and business dealings, he grapples with mortality and legacy. The film offers a poignant look at regret, forgiveness, and the human desire for connection before death.
Critical Reception
Elia Kazan's final film, '1 P.M.' (also known as 'The Arrangement' internationally), received mixed to negative reviews upon its release. While some critics acknowledged Kazan's directorial ambition and the performances, particularly from Ed Begley, many found the film to be overly melodramatic and thematically disjointed. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, contributing to its limited commercial success.
What Reviewers Say
Critics noted the film's heavy-handed approach to its themes of mortality and family.
The narrative was often criticized for being slow-paced and lacking emotional depth.
Performances were sometimes highlighted as a saving grace, despite the material.
Google audience: Audience reviews for '1 P.M.' are scarce and generally reflect the critical sentiment, with many finding the film to be a somber and somewhat unengaging experience. Some viewers appreciated the attempts at exploring complex family dynamics, but the overall consensus points to a film that failed to resonate widely.
Awards & Accolades
None notable.
Fun Fact
While often referred to as '1 P.M.', the film's original title is 'The Arrangement' and it is the final directorial effort of the acclaimed Elia Kazan.
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