What's Keeping Me Up In Quarantine?
THIS JOURNAL BELONGS TO
Douglas Henry Lewis
Menswear Escapism Through The Silver Screen
Allowing some of my favorite cinematic moments to transport me to a much more stylish and happier place. Lights, Camera, Action.
8 Mins Read Time
It has been quite rough during this period as my entire daily routine has come to a staggering halt. Doing run-of-the-mill activities such as going out to get a haircut and sliding on my finest suit along with a pair of my best boots or loafers always manages to make me feel like I can handle whatever day-to-day challenges may come my way. However, with all the constant negativity in the air and all “non-essential” businesses being closed due to COVID-19, it has been especially difficult to keep spirits up as I’ve been quite literally “all dressed up with nowhere to go.” Seeing elegant looks on the silver screen has always made me temporarily forget about whatever conflicts I may be dealing with at the time. Great costume design certainly has that unique ability to create enticing characters and imprint scenarios in our minds that we’ll never forget. Aside from constantly praying for better times in our troubled world, I’ve been managing to stay sane during the quarantine by allowing some of my favorite cinematic moments to transport me to a much more stylish and happier place.
When I first laid eyes on Jude Law and Matt Damon in The Talented Mr. Ripley, I was absolutely resurrected from my Coronavirus blues. Damon’s signature frames and seemingly out-of-place preppy looks were oddly very enticing. However, the real star of the film for me was Jude Law in his care-free looks. I nearly reached for my passport as I saw those lightweight retro polos on his charismatic persona captured in the splendor of Italy. I guess I’ll just have to wait until the coast is clear to book my flight. Even as glamorous as all of this may seem the story gets quite intense as Tom Ripley finds himself on an endless killing spree in an aim to live a life that is not his own. It obviously wouldn’t make for a good story but I can’t help but wonder if Mr. Ripley would’ve been better off if he just accepted himself as he was already instead of destroying his life to be someone else.
David Bowie in The Man Who Fell to Earth is the fashion hero I never knew that I needed. Mr. Bowie’s black, tailored, suits paired with his iconic platform boots is the definition of 70’s sleek. My favorite moment of the film was the last as Bowie effortlessly dons a wide-brim fedora hat, tying together a tweed coat and all-black look. His sunglasses, iconic red Ombre hair, and eerily cool demeanor are the finishing touches that pull together his looks flawlessly. The story chronicles Bowie (an alien) who comes to Earth to find water to save his planet but is interrupted with a love affair and the U.S. government. Very fitting for today’s times, the film exposes issues of modern-day violence, the temptation of sex, greed, and corruption as well as how to stay focused and overcome.
It is no surprise that Tom Ford’s A Single Man would have some serious style moments in it. In true Virgo-form, the details of the protagonist’s dressing routine are every bit of perfection. Freshly starched shirts, immaculately polished shoes, and very, very, chic frames. Stand-out moments include Nicholas Hoult on the university yard in a white mohair sweater bringing together his all-white fit and Jon Kortajarena in a white tee, blue jeans, and a pair of black boots. It doesn’t get much better than that. This film is rather heart-wrenching in the beginning as it reveals the tragic story of a professor whose lost his loved ones due to a fatal car accident and is denied the ability to visit the funeral because of unfair views regarding homosexuality at the time. On the verge of committing suicide, the professor finds refuge and the will to live again through the help of true friendship and random acts of kindness from strangers…a message I definitely took with me.
George Clooney in Ocean’s Eleven oozes every bit of smooth early 2000’s style. I was transfixed early on as Clooney gloriously transforms from being unshaven and wearing an unshapely prison uniform into the true boss that he is with a proper haircut and suit. See also a dirty-blonde Brad Pitt. The main storyline is about a massive and calculated plan to steal cash from three very large and tightly secured Las Vegas casinos. The underlying motive of Clooney’s heist is to seek revenge from the owner of the casino who stole Clooney’s love, Julia Roberts. Clooney almost seamlessly goes through with his plan while simultaneously exposing Terry Benedict’s false intentions for love and eventually wins his wife back. He is a man who knows what he wants and goes after it.
Richard Gere in American Gigolo in 1980 was a real feast for the eyes. There is a scene in the film where Gere is wearing a classic navy blazer with the most exquisite pair of linen grey trousers one has ever seen! I almost had a heart attack when I saw his black boots with a slight heel to finish it off. Not to mention Lauren Hutton is an absolute dream. Gere lives a very luxurious and emotionally-free life working as a gigolo in West Hollywood. Once he finds himself in a sticky situation, it is a surrender to vulnerability and true love that ultimately saves him in the end
The Beatles in A Hard Day’s Night is a reference I’ve cherished since I first saw it over ten years ago. This black and white film starts off with the British kings of music in their prime running around 1960’s London in very smart suits as thousands of women chase them frantically. This film is technically a documentary, but I did manage to find an overall theme to learn from it. As all of the pandemonium takes its course in these rock and roll legends’ lives, Paul McCartney’s “grandfather” often advises him to take some time for himself which is a wonderful lesson that is still relevant in today’s era. In fact, it seems as though the quarantine is forcing many of us to do just that.
Last but certainly not least, Peter O’Toole in How to Steal a Million is my all-time favorite. Mr. O’Toole is the most dapper cat burglar of all in 1960’s Paris, dazzling both the screen and his equally stylish counterpart. Miss Hepburn is known for doing serious damage in her jaw-dropping custom-made looks by the late couturier Hubert de Givenchy (and she does look stunning), but Mr. O’Toole certainly puts on for the gentlemen with his sartorial excellence also. There is a scene where Mr. O’Toole sneaks into Hepburn’s house, is mistakenly shot by her, then proceeds back to the Ritz Hotel as if nothing even happened. Most importantly, he does it all in style…wearing the most sophisticated black and white tuxedo. The main gest of the film consists of Audrey’s character Nicole working with Simon Dermott (Peter O’Toole) to steal back a forged painting from a museum in France in order to protect her father’s faulty reputation. In addition to showing some of the best 1960’s French fashion, this impeccable picture tells why the after-effects of thievery in any form is simply not worth it.