When I listen to anything whether is radio, conversation, or watching news, I look for the ones who can bounce off each other, energetically. Guys seem to do this better than women in groups and some soloists but few. Women seem to just vent when put in isolation mode of many dimensions. They don't seem to be part of the whole.
For instance, if you look at the music of Jewel or Sarah McLachlin. You hear this incredible voice but you don't have that bounce off from the drummer, bassist, guitarist, or other instruments unless they are playing their respective instruments. Men solo artists are the same way. But you do have men who can bounce-off with other men in groups whether its music or movies. In movies same thing with women, great individual talent but no bounce-off. However, the exception is this movie called "The Trouble with Angels" starring Hayley Mills and Rosalind Russell about their adventures at a all-girl Catholic, boarding school.
I liked this movie due to the chemistry between actress Mills and June Harding. When the movie was filmed in 1965, June was 25 and Hayley was 19. Though very one dimensional concerning their acting, both had that kind of chemistry. Former basketball coach, Gene Shue, says that basketball is essentially a two-man game with five on a team. This theory applies to this movie. Turn off the sound, you feel the energy between the two. Even when they aren't on the scene, you see the reactions of the nuns and the girls focusing on guess who? The director made the implication that they were in for themselves and bonding was out of necessity due to fact that one was an iron-willed, leader and the other a dim-witted follower. Throughout the move, the viewer sensed that one was going to leave but when and how.
The turning point of the movie contrary to other critiques was when the girls made fun of the accent of Sister Ursula. Mother Superior chimed in and told the girls about how she kept 34 Jewish children hidden before being captured and suffering "untold indignities" in Munich during World War II. Mary didn't want to hear the information while Rachel coped with the information. However, you saw the change with Mary as she realized that there is something bigger than being naive and playful. Mary sees this the kinder side of Mother when she watches her attend the funeral for her best friend, Sister Ligouri. Finally, you see the will and determination of Rachel in making that dress when she couldn't sew a lick.
Despite the events and circumstances, the girls maintained energy like it was scene one. If they didn't have that kind of chemistry, could I believe Rachel crashing into a statue during art class, awkwardly because she was clumsy? No. She was concentrating intently on Haley to her voice. You can't make that up. Second when they are smoking cigarettes and getting into trouble, you see them clutch and help each other like sisters. Finally in the swimming pool scene where each was afraid of going in the water, they both feared, jumped, and floated the same way before reaching out to the nun without looking. "You can't fake it till you make It" when it comes to chemistry on the movie screen.
One of the scenes, you see them visit a place for older women. These women discuss being neglected by their own children during the Christmas holidays. Mother Superior makes a glance at Mary who is serving cake to these ladies. After the party and remembering the glance, Mary screams at Mother than she wants to die young and wealthy. Mary's makes her own decision when Sister Constance leaves St. Francis for a leper colony in the Philippines by her own will. At the end when Mary says she will write, you think bull but their body language says otherwise. That is where chemistry makes the script whole with the "bounce."
