Cate Blanchett is back in cinemas this holiday season. And the podcast is back for a final season of episodes. We kick things off with the first of the two Cate movies coming out this month, Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley. For this conversation Murtada welcomes film critic Leila Latif, to discuss the film, how it differs from 1947 version, and the performances of Cate as a femme fatale, Rooney Mara, Bradley Cooper and Toni Colette.

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What is the film about?

From IMDB: An ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro, with a screenplay by Guillermo del Toro & Kim Morgan, adapted from William Lindsay Gresham’s novel. 

Who does Cate play?

Lilith Ritter, a psychologist with a dark past and hidden agenda, who holds the key to the events unraveling in the film.

How is Cate introduced?

About an hour into the 2 and half hour movie, in shadows in a nightclub. A real movie star introduction.

Topics discussed:

• A bleak noir within Del Toro’s obsessions; only this time the monsters are human and there are no supernatural elements 
• The arc of Stan’s character as played by Bradley Cooper.
• Cate as noir femme fatale – delivered on the promise of The Good German.
• This is another of Blanchett’s oh so glamorous roles.
• Because of the genre (noir) and period (1940s) Blanchett’s performance has been compared to the stars of Hollywood Golden Age. Does she remind us of any in particular?
• The chemistry between Blanchett and Cooper.
• The all star cast, who makes an impression? Rooney Mara, Toni Colette, Willem Dafoe, David Strathairn, Richard Jenkins, Mary Steenburgen…… etc.

• The crafts – the production design (Lilith’s office, the carnival), costumes, lush cinematography (does it fit the genre?) 
• This version vs the 1947 version.
• The 1st half vs the 2nd – there seems to be a clear divide and a clear favorite with those who watched so far 
• Does the film have full frontal nudity? It’s “blink and miss it,” but it’s there and in these cinema puritanical times I appreciated it.
• We rank Nightmare Alley within Del Toro’s filmography and Cate’s.
• *********SPOILERS********* Skip between 28.00 and 36.00 if you don’t want to be spoiled*********

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