This is only watchable because, well, it's Clint Eastwood. The plot, however, could not be more ludicrous and absurd if Mel Brooks were directing, but Eastwood isn't going for laughs, and undervalues his audience's time and patience a bit too much here. As others have noted, those last few minutes in particular are Blazing Saddles silly, and that isn't hyperbole unfortunately. Locke is beautiful, but entirely unconvincing in her role.
Reynolds is supremely affable, even 'deep' (you dig?) at times; the American football aspect is central and yet feels like a distraction - far too much 'excusing' of the (by today's standards certainly) miserable overgrown 'boys being boys' behavior...the 'funny' in this comedy is no longer that but uncomfortable at best, downright frightening at it's worst (see the Brian Dennehy scene with the girl being hung by the foot off of a roof 'just because' she questioned whatever it was that he wanted her to do in the bedroom...does this scene end in the player being arrested? nah, simply laughed off as his at worst mildly oafish dealings with women - he is a thick-headed defensive line type after all etc. The scene is played as though it were uproariously funny, and I suppose maybe it was in the context of 1977, but it's hard to believe regardless).
Sum total? A 2/4 stars if only for the chemistry in the Kris Kristofferson/Jill Clayburgh/Burt Reynolds triad; fails as a comedy but mildly touching as a light romance.
Dreyfuss and Mason have marvelous chemistry and both perform brilliantly; the daughter (Quinn Cummings) has the potential to kill the movie with predictable cuteness etc., but she does nothing of the kind, rather, she adds another layer of warmth to this truly sweet and touching story.
Feels a bit like a 'made for television' flick at times, think anthology style weekly program level of production, but some really enjoyable performances from Walken and Lilia Skala - the latter quite moving - made this collection of 3 vignettes focused around 3 popular dances (waltz, hustle, and finally, the peabody - which I had never heard of prior to this movie) surprisingly engaging viewing. Three studies in the wistful and bittersweet.
Stunned that I had never even heard of this previously; the metaphor may feel uncomfortably awkward and difficult to dissect, but the core relationship between doctor and patient and it's mutual impact is intense, helped in no small part by wonderful performances from Burton and Firth.
Didn't feel the chemistry between Tomlin and Carney initially; eventually though, a sweet connection developed, and it was difficult not to come away feeling warmth towards this otherwise rather insipid story.
I really enjoyed this in spite of all the negativity I had read coming into it...remembered it being a big thing when I was a kid, but not age appropriate etc...though the final bit was a tad indulgent on Streisand's part I suppose...a bit long winded and sappy (the last 20 minutes).
Would have to agree completely with KuroSawWhat; spot on analysis, left me feeling essentially bland, though it was clear I was meant to be stunned by the blow.
Not horrible though a bit melodramatic as expected being a 'made for TV' film of the 80's; Birny alternates between pretty good and grating depending on what he is doing (hard not to see the St Elsewhere doc in some of his performance having only seen him there previously; great in that role). Just barely a 2/4 stars.
Far too ambitious, and tries too hard to be clever and ultimately fails to really resonate through most of the first half (more irritating than affecting...Woody Allen without Allen's skill); despite this, there are indeed some strong scenes, and Douglas saves it from being a complete loss in the end...2 of 4 stars for me.
I'd like to quickly expound upon an earlier comment (that was unfairly down-voted, in my opinion).
My experience upon first viewing this film just moments ago, is very similar to having heard a work of dense and gorgeous music; I know I've missed much of what is present and perhaps more obvious to other audience members, but I'm equally certain that the experience transcended formal meaning...and that is part of the point, if you will. The thing felt packed with meaning, not one note too many (again, if you will).
I think this is a film that will demand more than one viewing, as with any work of art worth savoring (this last line reads as pretentious to me, and when I think about it, I don't really mean that...there are plenty of works...music, film...that speak to me far more immediately, and I certainly don't value those any less).
Sufficient to say, this is heavy, wonderful stuff.
Disagree with the others save maybe for the one word comment (rhymes with heinous). Powerful and concise and plenty of room for Freudian analysis if one feels that is necessary as well. Brilliantly executed in my opinion.
Comments 1 - 25 of 37
Movie comment on The Gauntlet
Mahler1860
This is only watchable because, well, it's Clint Eastwood. The plot, however, could not be more ludicrous and absurd if Mel Brooks were directing, but Eastwood isn't going for laughs, and undervalues his audience's time and patience a bit too much here. As others have noted, those last few minutes in particular are Blazing Saddles silly, and that isn't hyperbole unfortunately. Locke is beautiful, but entirely unconvincing in her role.Movie comment on Semi-Tough
Mahler1860
Reynolds is supremely affable, even 'deep' (you dig?) at times; the American football aspect is central and yet feels like a distraction - far too much 'excusing' of the (by today's standards certainly) miserable overgrown 'boys being boys' behavior...the 'funny' in this comedy is no longer that but uncomfortable at best, downright frightening at it's worst (see the Brian Dennehy scene with the girl being hung by the foot off of a roof 'just because' she questioned whatever it was that he wanted her to do in the bedroom...does this scene end in the player being arrested? nah, simply laughed off as his at worst mildly oafish dealings with women - he is a thick-headed defensive line type after all etc. The scene is played as though it were uproariously funny, and I suppose maybe it was in the context of 1977, but it's hard to believe regardless).Sum total? A 2/4 stars if only for the chemistry in the Kris Kristofferson/Jill Clayburgh/Burt Reynolds triad; fails as a comedy but mildly touching as a light romance.
Movie comment on The Goodbye Girl
Mahler1860
Dreyfuss and Mason have marvelous chemistry and both perform brilliantly; the daughter (Quinn Cummings) has the potential to kill the movie with predictable cuteness etc., but she does nothing of the kind, rather, she adds another layer of warmth to this truly sweet and touching story.Movie comment on Roseland
Mahler1860
Feels a bit like a 'made for television' flick at times, think anthology style weekly program level of production, but some really enjoyable performances from Walken and Lilia Skala - the latter quite moving - made this collection of 3 vignettes focused around 3 popular dances (waltz, hustle, and finally, the peabody - which I had never heard of prior to this movie) surprisingly engaging viewing. Three studies in the wistful and bittersweet.Movie comment on Equus
Mahler1860
Stunned that I had never even heard of this previously; the metaphor may feel uncomfortably awkward and difficult to dissect, but the core relationship between doctor and patient and it's mutual impact is intense, helped in no small part by wonderful performances from Burton and Firth.Movie comment on The Late Show
Mahler1860
Didn't feel the chemistry between Tomlin and Carney initially; eventually though, a sweet connection developed, and it was difficult not to come away feeling warmth towards this otherwise rather insipid story.Movie comment on 1815 - The Battle of Waterloo
Mahler1860
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ycputFNoD8Movie comment on Lords of Chaos
Mahler1860
Rory Culkin is great here and, whether entirely accurate or otherwise, this film humanizes these guys in a compelling way.Movie comment on Cloak & Dagger
Mahler1860
This stands up surprisingly well. Loved as a child but figured it wouldn’t come off so well but a treat to revisit.Movie comment on A Star Is Born
Mahler1860
I really enjoyed this in spite of all the negativity I had read coming into it...remembered it being a big thing when I was a kid, but not age appropriate etc...though the final bit was a tad indulgent on Streisand's part I suppose...a bit long winded and sappy (the last 20 minutes).Movie comment on Life of Pi
Mahler1860
Would have to agree completely with KuroSawWhat; spot on analysis, left me feeling essentially bland, though it was clear I was meant to be stunned by the blow.Movie comment on The Five of Me
Mahler1860
Not horrible though a bit melodramatic as expected being a 'made for TV' film of the 80's; Birny alternates between pretty good and grating depending on what he is doing (hard not to see the St Elsewhere doc in some of his performance having only seen him there previously; great in that role). Just barely a 2/4 stars.Movie comment on The Arrangement
Mahler1860
Far too ambitious, and tries too hard to be clever and ultimately fails to really resonate through most of the first half (more irritating than affecting...Woody Allen without Allen's skill); despite this, there are indeed some strong scenes, and Douglas saves it from being a complete loss in the end...2 of 4 stars for me.Movie comment on Cactus Flower
Mahler1860
Wonderful little gem; Bergman is so fantastic. Story is predictable, yet no less heartwarming and funny for it.Movie comment on Turks fruit
Mahler1860
Rutger Hauer and Van de Ven are truly explosive chemically; some bits are off-putting, but I felt moved, rather than exploited, in the end.Movie comment on The Wizard of Gore
Mahler1860
The acting is so bad it is comical; the script and general production equally so. Entertaining perhaps because it is such a piece of trash.Movie comment on Zerkalo
Mahler1860
I'd like to quickly expound upon an earlier comment (that was unfairly down-voted, in my opinion).My experience upon first viewing this film just moments ago, is very similar to having heard a work of dense and gorgeous music; I know I've missed much of what is present and perhaps more obvious to other audience members, but I'm equally certain that the experience transcended formal meaning...and that is part of the point, if you will. The thing felt packed with meaning, not one note too many (again, if you will).
I think this is a film that will demand more than one viewing, as with any work of art worth savoring (this last line reads as pretentious to me, and when I think about it, I don't really mean that...there are plenty of works...music, film...that speak to me far more immediately, and I certainly don't value those any less).
Sufficient to say, this is heavy, wonderful stuff.
Movie comment on Shampoo
Mahler1860
This was a blast; all the leads ooze charisma and I loved this despite what I expected going in.Movie comment on You Only Live Once
Mahler1860
Absurdly melodramatic at every possible turn and terribly predictable as a result.Movie comment on Barracuda
Mahler1860
Horrifyingly BAD film. A complete and total exploitative cash grab following on the heels of the success of the Jaws films.Movie comment on A Warning to the Curious
Mahler1860
Perfectly eerie setting and atmosphere.Movie comment on Coriolanus
Mahler1860
Disagree with the others save maybe for the one word comment (rhymes with heinous). Powerful and concise and plenty of room for Freudian analysis if one feels that is necessary as well. Brilliantly executed in my opinion.Movie comment on Take the Money and Run
Mahler1860
Pleasant surprise!Movie comment on Kung Pow: Enter the Fist
Mahler1860
Absolutely brilliant and indeed informed directly by Woody Allen's great "What's Up, Tiger Lily?"Movie comment on La battaglia di Algeri
Mahler1860
Wow. Very relevant and, fortunately, tells both sides of this tale.Showing items 1 – 25 of 37