January 10, 2009
The Towering Inferno (1974) **1/2
Directed by John Guillermin & Irwin Allen
Paul Newman and Steve McQueen phone in their performances in this bloated, self-important staple example of the once popular “disaster film genre.” With none-too-subtle subversive political undertones regarding societial greed, the plot centers around a fire which starts over a dozen floors below a skyscraper’s inauguration party. There are only a couple of elevators that can transport the wealthy, spoiled guests to safety. Meanwhile, the residents that live near and below the fire also must be rescued.
Yes, there are moments of satisfying suspense, and the high cost production value makes for some awe-inspiring sequences. Yet, overall this film lacks a soul. There’s a cynicism which drips from this film’s pores giving off an unpleasant stench which betrays the one and only purpose for which The Towering Inferno was made—to make the studio lots and lots of money.
Sadly, one of the greatest disappointments surrounding The Towering Inferno is the fact that the great Fred Astaire received his only acting Oscar nomination for his supporting performance as a con-man with a heart of gold named Harlee Clairborne. Astaire simply plays the same character he played in Swing Time (as well as in countless other films I assume). Unfortunately, it’s too mannered and obvious to impress, and thus, he should not have received the nomination for this film. Most likely the accolades were more for his body of work as a whole, and I think the gesture is well-intentioned enough. The overarching injustice, however, is the fact that Astaire didn’t receive an Oscar nomination for any of the films in which he (oh, I don’t know) DANCED!
At almost three hours in length, The Towering Inferno doesn’t quite deliver the goods. In fact, it made me appreciate another little disaster film called Titanic that much more. At least in Titanic, the people on the sinking ship act like they’re really on a sinking ship. In The Towering Inferno, there are civilized conversations, blossoming low-key romances and adjustments in tone so that Newman and McQueen have the ability to look pretty onscreen. Skip this one and watch Titanic again.
Labels: 1970s, Paul Newman Marathon, Action, Two and a Half Stars, Best Picture Oscar Nominees
Slap Shot (1977) *
Directed by George Roy Hill
Someone should have smacked Paul Newman and George Roy Hill on the side of the head with a hockey stick for making this despicably mean-spirited excuse for masculine entertainment. I can’t tell you how much I hated spending time with the monsters that make up this sad minor league hockey team which includes an over-the-hill player/assistant coach named Reg Dunlop (Newman in an ugly performance). They gain notoriety and fame by being violent to their opponents thus satisfying their audience’s boodlust. Newman calls this his favorite performance, and as such, my respect for him goes down significantly. There is true evil in the world, and Slap Shot is a profoundly depressing concrete example of this fact. Shame on all involved!
Labels: 1970s, Paul Newman Marathon, Comedy, One Star
The Young Philadelphians (1959) ****1/2
Directed by Vincent Sherman
Between The Philadelphia Story and The Young Philadelphians, I’m starting to get a sense of the idiosyncracies of the city of brotherly love during the first half of the twentieth century. Both are films about fulfilling the lofty, unreasonable expectations that society places upon young adults as they construct their own destinies. Newman’s perfect as a young lawyer whose loving mother holds onto a huge secret regarding who his father truly is. Since he has a famous last name, Newman is expected to match it with his success. Unfortunately, things become rocky when his loyal friend is falsely accussed of murder. At this point, Newman’s character must decide what’s really important to him deep down
This plot may sound pretty standard, but it’s executed brilliantly with some wonderful performances, most notably from Robert Vaughn as his friend Chet, as well as top notch direction from Sherman. The Young Philadelphians works on so many levels, and few films I can think of explore the difficulties of young men and women in their twenties better.
Labels: 1950s, Paul Newman Marathon, Drama, Four and a Half Stars
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972) ****
Directed by John Huston
Knowing nothing at all about The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean other than the fact that it stars Paul Newman. I happily sat down to watch what I thought might be another classy drama similar to many of the other films in My Paul Newman Marathon.
Boy was I surprised when the opening scene has Newman’s Judge Roy Bean enter a crowded seedy bar only to find a naked 350 pound woman being bathed in the middle of the room by a prostitute. Right then and there, an aggressive group of harlots grope and fondle the Judge, much to his displeasure, and more importantly, much to their misfortune. Disgusted beyond belief at the sleaze that inhabits the saloon, Bean guns them all down, killing everyone except the above mentioned 350 pound woman who runs away in terror.
After the scene was over, I picked up my jaw and went online to see what this movie is rated. PG!!! I couldn’t believe that a movie that had me believing that I woke up in some kind of John Waters nightmare would be rated anything less than R or even X.
Thankfully, things started making sense after a handful of other sequences went by without any trace at all of depravity. The rest of The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean whimsically tells the somewhat true story of a man who tears down and rebuilds a small Western town with his own two hands. Within the confines of this sanctuary in the middle of nowhere, Roy Bean is the man who demands and gets everyone’s respect. It’s not until the last third where the judge experiences some genuine conflict.
Everyone in Texas is madly in love with a socialite named Lily Langtree who spends her years traveling the world appearing in plays. Roy decides to treat himself to a trip to the big city in order to see her live on stage. Although he tries his best to hold onto the same power in the city that he takes for granted in his home town, the judge is ultimately broken down by the cruelty of the city itself.
The narrative structure plays out like a book neatly separated into chapters, each with its own autonomous conflict and resolution. This allows for great cameos from some of the biggest names in movie history including Anthony Perkins, Ned Beatty, Tab Hunter, Roddy McDowall, Jacqueline Bisset and Ava Gardner as Lily Langtree. Victoria Principal also makes her movie debut as Roy’s spunky native wife Maria Elena.
Newman’s performance isn’t at the same level as in many of his other films, but overall The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean is a hell of a good time. It’s not John Waters; however, if weird is what you’re looking for, this film does contain a bear who loves to drink beer. It’s got that going for it at least!
Labels: 1970s, Paul Newman Marathon, Comedy, Western, Four Stars
Road to Perdition (2002) ****
Directed by Sam Mendes
You might think that a gangster film about betrayal and family loyalty is treading too familiar waters. I won’t deny that Road to Perdition is in no way original whatsoever. Also, I can’t think of too many films that are more predictable. However, much of Road to Perdition contains filmmaking of the absolute highest quality. Mendes presents a haunting, gritty crime drama which stays with the viewer long after the credits roll.
I’ll quickly mention in order to get it out of the way what holds Road to Perdition back from being called a masterpiece. The movie is so serious and grim from beginning to end with a few exceptions. You might think therefore that I had a problem with its tone. Quite the contrary in fact. What doesn’t work at all are a couple of scenes between father and young son Tom Hanks and Tyler Hoechlin which try to inject humor into an otherwise pitch black plot. Hanks is so effective as a hard-boiled cynical gangster that he’s not convincing at all when he tries to go for the funny. During these moments, he comes off like he’s Tom Hanks.
Otherwise, Road to Perdition is tense, gripping and visually stunning. Newman received his final Oscar nominaton for his spot-on devilish performance as the ice cold grandfather of Hanks’ young son. Though its story is violent and heavy, Road to Perdition provides a joyous filmwatching experience. There’s nothing that brings me more happiness than great filmmaking, even if it’s within a slightly flawed film!
Labels: 2002, Paul Newman Marathon, Thriller, Four Stars
Exodus (1960) *****
Directed by Otto Preminger
I remember waking up early one Saturday morning to sit down and watch David Lean’s long epic Lawrence of Arabia. Knowing that I needed to force myself to focus and engage with a film that’s twice as long as most movies I am used to, I was well prepared to make it through to the end with no problems whatsoever. Surprisingly, it worked, and four or sixteen hours later (however long the movie really is), I was able to check Lawrence of Arabia off my list of films to see.
Had I attempted Lawrence on a day in which I wasn’t prepared to sit for so long, I guarantee that I wouldn’t have made it through. Most likely, I wouldn’t have appreciated it as much because of the feelings of oppression I would have felt watching a movie that I wasn’t in the mood for.
Preminger’s classic epic Exodus is three and a half hours long! Though I didn’t make it through in one sitting, I did make it through in three, and let me say that I absolutely loved it! Though I wasn’t really prepared for it, the brilliance of the story, the impressive scope of the filmmaking and especially the great performances notably from Paul Newman and Sal Mineo kept me engaged without my having to put forth any effort. This movie had me all along.
It’s interesting to watch Exodus while in real life there’s a serious violent standoff in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas controlled Palestine. Exodus tells the story of how one Jewish man (Newman) and one American woman (Eva Marie Saint) help to bring Jewish refugees from British controlled Cyprus to British controlled Israel in order to join the fight to secure the land promised to them by God through Abraham.
Sadly, but not surprisingly after centuries of oppression and the then recent Holocaust, some Jews take on a more violent, terroristic philosophy of acquiring Israel. Still profoundly suffering from the wounds of the Holocaust, an angry 17 year old Jewish boy, played by Mineo in a role that deservedly got him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, decides to take the more zealous journey which puts a strain on his love relationship with a gentle young Jewish girl played by Jill Hayworth.
There’s a whole lot more that can be said about Exodus’ plot, which makes sense considering its running time. I’ll simply conclude by pointing out that not only is Exodus impeccably well-made and immensely entertaining, but it’s also quite timely considering what’s going on in that part of the world today. Seriously, I could have watched another hour and a half if I needed to with no problem!
Labels: 1960s, Paul Newman Marathon, Drama, Five Stars
