Move Review: Never on Sunday

After watching the politically charged, award acclaimed movie Z and being distracted by my lovely father's powerful snores from across the couch, I decided I would rather write a review on a movie that both my father and I could not only relate to more readily but be entertained by, as well.  Hence, I returned Z back to Netflix immediately and replaced it with Never on Sunday.  The film, focused on the most famous prostitute in all of Pireaus named Illia, is a adaption of the popular concept of an studious man attempting to show an easygoing pleasure-loving whore a morally just lifestyle and, ultimately, change her for the better. The movie not only gave great insight to Greek culture during that time period, the music, dancing and men, but also instigated the cultural contrast between the Greek and America lifestyle.  However, it is not the storyline of the movie that makes it captivating but the character of Illia herself.  A better fitting actress could not have been found.  Melina Mercouri comes off as witty, spontaneous, jovial and independent.  She molds into the woman that many aspire to be and many men aspire to be with, thoroughly enjoying life and looking over the hardships that pass by with a smile, which makes the movie thoroughly enjoyable for both sexes.  The best part of her character, coming from a female’s perspective, is that she defies the “age law” by being sexy and strong at the age of forty, when in an American film forty would be considered too old.  Whether this is a cultural differentiation or not, Illia’s confidence is overpowering but never threatening.  I, however, struggled with Homer as a character.  He is exactly what this character type is supposed to be: inquisitive, all-knowing and a little creepy.  So, while we as an audience are probably not supposed to like him as a character after all, I still found Jules Dassin’s character to be too overbearing at times.  Though it was critical to the story, some parts, for example when he follows her to Medea, are too focused on him and take away from the free-spirit that is Illia.   Maybe I wanted him to fall for her whole-heartedly just like every other man in the country of Greece had instead of brooding in his own misery.  Despite these small character flaws, Never on Sunday is everything a heart-warming romantic comedy should be.  In most films like this one, you’d expect the exuberant, loving character that is Melina to die in a tragic accident that is undeserved and leaves you in tears.  Thank goodness this was not the case.  The ending was exceptional.  Not only do the prostitutes win against Mr. No Face with the help of Illia, but Homer also comes to terms with the fact that what makes one person happy may not make the next person happy.  He not only learns that happiness is subjective but he also learns what it means to be a Greek.  The last scene is unforgettable and plays off the opening scene beautifully.  Homer has learned everything there is to know about Greek culture: the dance, the drink and the pleasures of their heritage.  After experiencing Greece over the past few weeks, I can watch this film ad say that it encapsulates all of the beauty and light-hearted fun that is Greece.  Watching the characters dance, drink and be merry just made me want to be there all over again.