From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1973)

Overview
"From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" is a 1973 film directed by Fielder Cook. The film is based on the eponymous novel by E.L. Konigsburg. The movie stars Ingrid Bergman as Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, with Sally Prager and Johnny Doran playing Claudia and Jamie Kincaid respectively. The main narrative centers on Claudia and Jamie, two young siblings who take off from their suburban house and hide out in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA).

Plot
The movie starts with Claudia Kincaid, a girl bored with her ordinary life in the residential areas, and her more youthful bro Jamie, a thrift-oriented kid with a knack for Numbers game, escaping to New York City. They camp out at the MMA, making it their short-lived home, and blend in with the museum's school groups throughout the day to go undetected.

One day, Claudia stumbles upon a gorgeous Renaissance sculpture, 'Angel,' thought to be a work by an unidentified artist. Believing it might be an unrecognized work of art by Michelangelo, Claudia becomes obsessed with discovering its real creator. The kids start researching the statue, looking for ideas to its origin from selected books in the museum library and the public library.

Fulfilling Mrs. Frankweiler
Their mission leads them to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the strange and eccentric previous owner of the statue, who agrees to divulge the fact about 'Angel' only if the siblings fix a riddle in her mixed-up files. Mrs. Frankweiler, living alone in her grand estate with her secretive files, keeps information to evaluate the kids's resourcefulness and interest.

Conclusion
The movie concludes with the kids ingeniously resolving Mrs. Frankweiler's riddle, exposing that the statue was undoubtedly a Michelangelo. This affair provides Claudia the experience she sought and teaches her an important lesson about the joy and disappointment of challenging standard wisdom. After their informing experiences, Claudia and Jamie decide to return house, bring with them evidence that their journey was meaningful.

Adaptation and Reception
The movie script of the film retains much of the book's wit and appeal with a little simplification, with the character development and plot staying mainly loyal to the book. Ingrid Bergman's representation of the strange and witty Mrs. Frankweiler was seriously acclaimed. On the minus side, some critics called out the cinematography for not fully catching the opulence of the museum.

In conclusion, "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" is a smartly crafted story about curiosity, individual development and the spirit of adventure. The excellent performance from the leads integrates with a rich, underlying mystery, making the film a wonderful watch.

Top Cast