Classic movies are often seen as outdated and a bit silly. Interactions often seem limited by the style of the times, and relationships feel forced and extremely outdated. This cannot be said aboutThe Thin Man. Now, two of the biggest names in Hollywood are coming together to take a fresh look at an unbelievable classic.
Brad PittandMargot Robbieare looking to combine the forces of their own production companies to resurrect a film series. But with the idea so firmly in the planning stages, what should we know, and what can we expect from this epic team-up?
What Is The Thin Man?
The Thin Manwas released in 1934. This is especially important to remember because this meant it was made before the Hays Code was enacted. [Prepare for a brief history lesson]. The Hays Code was an industry-created, self-imposed code of conduct that censored many activities and sanitized films for decades. This meant, among other things, no swearing, sex or sexual perversions, drugs, nudity, and (just for fun) depictions of “white slavery.” [End of lesson]AlthoughThe Thin Mandid not feature many of these, it does give the film a far easier feel that does not fit the template of what we often think of as “the classics.”
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The film follows Nick Charles, a former private investigator and husband to Nora Charles, an heiress with gobs of money. When they married, Nick gave up his investigation business in favor of a life of luxury with Nora. The two are very much in love, and their witty banter keeps them interesting. The film starts with them visiting New York for Christmas, having traveled by train from their home in San Francisco.
Amissing person’s casepulls Nick back into his old role, and Nora is thrilled to see him in action. As the two investigate the missing person’s case, it becomes clear that there is a web of intrigue beneath the surface. Family secrets rise up, bodies are found, and fortunes are lost. Thankfully, none of them belonged to the Charles'. Throughout the film, Nick and Nora provide comic relief even as the crimes begin piling up.
Who Cares About an Old Movie?
The thing is, pre-Hays movies are perfect for modern remakes because they lack what are often the prudish classics we are all so used to. The public assumes that anything before 1968 is just too old and poorly structured by today’s standards. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, the further back you go, the more interesting and nuanced many films actually were.
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Pre-code films were honest about taboo issues and much freer with language and even nudity before 1934, and these are some of the most important.
Consider this scene fromThe Thin Man:It is Christmas morning, and Nick and Nora have opened their presents. They are lounging around their glamorously-appointed hotel suite, complete with a full Christmas tree, and joined by their dog, Asta (a star in his own right). As they both nurse hangovers, Nick decides to pass the time by using his new BB gun to shoot ornaments off the tree as Nora eggs him on.
It is a fantastic scene that shows the day-after of a hard-drinking, fun-loving couple that enjoys each other’s company. It would work at any time with two likable actors. That is why this movie could be a huge hit comedy/thriller when put in the right hands.
The Right Hands?
Currently, Brad Pitt’s Plan B and Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap are in talks to co-produce the remake of the iconic film. The fact that these two companies are in negotiations leads people to believe that the two stars would be taking on the roles of Nick and Nora, respectively.
This concept seems perfect for two people known for playing glamorous but fun characters. Pitt has starred in a number of action/comedy films, while Robbie has made a career of playing characters like Harley Quinn, who is both dopey and strong-willed at the same time. The two have also played opposite each otherinOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodand have excellent chemistry both on and off-screen. This ease of banter would serve theThin Mancharacters well.
Another piece to consider is that if their production companies handle the film, the two will have more control over how it is written, directed, and created. They will have their hands in the sauce before, during, and after. It means that should they star, and it will be with the full knowledge that their performances and the script are only as good as what they allow at the table. It makes the stakes higher and could mean a better-quality movie.
No matter what happens with the film, this partnership bodes well for whatever comes next. Pitt has been a box office draw fordecades, and Robbie, though a seasoned actor, has come into her own in the past decade. In 2023, she hit her highest peak yet by producing theBarbiemovie, thetop-grossing film of the year (so far). This puts her in a unique position to continue to decide exactly where she wants her influence to land.
It will take time for these negotiations to conclude and even more to produce the film. However, if these two are able to create a modern version of a cinema classic, it could end up becoming a franchise, much like the original. Pitt and Robbie are poised to create some of the most likable characters in modern film as long as they remember to do it right.
