"The Man in the White Suit" takes its 1950s world and opens its doors into today's modern society. With ideas blossoming daily by young entrepreneurs, and ultimately being purchased or "gobbled up" by bigger business, this film released in 1951 feels more adept today then perhaps it did upon its initial run. With industry standards like the Kindle or the Nook, reaching to greater heights, one cannot help but wonder which company will finally stand victorious. Which big business will emerge with the larger wallet to ensure product safety? If one cannot answer that question, perhaps a viewing of this film will tighten the bootstraps. "The Man in the White Suit" is part comedy, part social economic commentary, and part imagination. IMDb uses the phrase sci-fi to promote this film, but they couldn't be utterly wrong. There is a complacent element of science within this film, but overall it is the story of a small man with brains being downtrodden by big business.
Watching Alec Guinness stumble from factory to factory, draining funds from each department, to merely fuel his idea on creating a fabric that could never be destroyed, could never get dirty, and would never need replaced, is funny. This is an economic film with comedy wrapped tightly around it, there is no doubt about it, and Guinness at the top of his game. One could reasonably argue that everyone involved with this film was reaching their potential. There is a scene where director Alexander Mackendrick merely shows this device in one place to another, letting us know that Guinness has made his mark on this plant already. Instantly, this feature transforms into a dystopian world where humans would only have one piece of clothing, where dry cleaners would slowly not exist, and those without the cash to produce would ultimately become rubble. The new world would literally embrace the phrase, "One should always have one good suit". The film becomes eerily, and surprisingly darker as the head honchos of each of these fabric factories fights, literally, over who will control the rights to this idea. Like witnessing a British version of "Shark Tank", the old men with money attempt to take Guinness' idea from him and slowly keep it from the world. Guinness runs, but can you really run from ultimate economics?
There is a love story within the mix of this film, it is light - nearly unnecessary, but helps build some character into Guinness. This is his complete ride. The visual of him running through the streets of London with this impermeable white suit on was both brooding and hilarious at the same time. Mackendrick, known for the quick-talking, powerhouse of a film "Sweet Smell of Success" is able to balance the anti-capitalism remarks and the early Peter Sellers-esque antics of Guinness very tight. This is a quick film, running at nearly 85 minutes (I think shorter), it doesn't bumble on itself during the course of time. There is a story, it continues with it, and grows the horrors of small business at the same time. This is a powerful film merely due to its simplistic nature. The special effects are mediocre, the story is amazing, and Guinness is top hen of the hen house with his portrayal of Sidney Stratton. Despite that Mackendrick did also direct "The Ladykillers", a much more morbid slice of comedy, "The Man in the White Suit" (even with its darkness) feels almost whimsical. One can easily follow Guinness from factory to factory without a care in the world. His likability as well as detailed character development of Stratton creates a stronger viewing experience. "The Man in the White Suit" is a film that can be viewed again and again and again, discovering more about it during each viewing.
If you can't tell, this was a cinematic highlight during my week. I loved Guinness in this role, and he provided just enough social commentary with comedy to allow the brain to function at a higher level. The characters are spooky (when they need to be), the explosions are detailed, and the story knows what it wants to accomplish and does just that. To the untrained eye, Guinness could have easily been Sellers' understudy. This is a highly recommended film, enjoyable for both adults and children. Never have I watched a film and wanted something so badly (well, maybe never say never), but that white suit looked amazing! Found in my "501 Must-See Movies", this is getting a green highlight with blue stars. I cannot wait to watch this film again and add it to the Cinema Underground collection.
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