To Have And Have Not

Last night I saw To Have And Have Not at the Brattle. It wasn't the first time I've seen this film, but it was the first time I'd seen it on the big screen. In a balcony no less - I love the fact that the Brattle has balcony seats.

Anyhoo, To Have And Have Not is definitely my favorite Bogart flick. Easily. Yes, I know there's Casablanca which is also a superlative film. I wouldn't - and couldn't really - argue with anyone who chose Casablanca as their favorite or 'the best' Bogart film. When two films are both that great I think it just comes down to a matter of personal preference. And I prefer Lauren Bacall over Ingrid Bergman.

I love this exchange between Bacall (as Slim) and Bogart (as Steve): she is one step ahead of him the entire time - completely self-possessed:
Slim: You're sore, aren't ya?
Steve: Why should I be?
Slim: I didn't behave very well, did I?
Steve: You did all right. You got the bottle, didn't you?
Slim: You're sore, aren't ya?
Steve: Now look, get this straight. I don't care...
Slim: I know, I know. You don't give a 'whoop' what I do, but when I do it, you get sore. After all, you told me to, you know.
Steve: I told you?
Slim: You said 'go ahead,' didn't ya?
Steve: Oh yeah, that's right, I-I guess I did. You were pretty good at it too.
Slim: Thanks! Would you rather I wouldn't?
Steve: Wouldn't what?
Slim: Do things like that.
Steve: Why ask me?
Slim: I'd like to know.
Steve: Well, of all the screwy...
Slim: All right, all right, I won't do it anymore.
Steve: Look, I didn't ask you...
Slim: I know you didn't. Don't worry. I'm not giving up anything I care about.

Of course the dialogue is not quite the same lying all flat up here on your monitor, not even close. Seeing it on the big screen was a delight.