MovieChat Forums > The Mephisto Waltz (1971) Discussion > Weak leading man ruins this film!

Weak leading man ruins this film!

posted 14 years ago by TrangPak2
7 replies | jump to latest

With a better leading man, this film would have had the charisma to be much better flick. I think someone like Dean Stockwell or Chris Sarandon would have been much better than Alan Alda, who isn't good looking or sexy.

Men enjoy the love they feel, Women enjoy the love we give

[–] delia19461 14 years ago

I've always thought that, too. Paula talked alot about how wonderful he was sexually...always saying "love love love?" to him....telling her friend "I just want him one more time." AA not at all attractive, but Sarandon would have been so much better. Also AA is too much a good guy to go along with such an evil plot. Sarandon had that slightly evil manner about him. Like John Cassavetes in Rosemary's Baby. Can imagine him selling his soul and his unborn child to the Powers of Darkness.

[–] FishHeadSweety 11 years ago

Alan Alda was the victim of the body switchers, not a willing participant.

[–] Wuchak (8855) 3 years ago

Also Alda is too much a good guy to go along with such an evil plot.

As FishHeadSweety pointed out, Alda's character, Myles, was the victim of the satanist father/daughter duo, not a willing participant (keeping in mind that they were actually a husband/wife team, as explained here https://moviechat.org/tt0067419/The-Mephisto-Waltz/58c72c465ec57f0478f32145/There-is-NO-INCEST-in-this-movie?reply=626afde01aa3173c84c93487).

Myles (Alda) was on cloud nine because this filthy rich virtuoso thoroughly encouraged him, praising his musicianship or potential, which no one else had done. He's a nondescript music journalist, but suddenly his youthful dream has been rekindled with a new 'father,' not to mention the guy's attractive daughter gives him a lot of attention. In short, he's a naïve innocent that's duped by satantic predators contrasted by his wise wife, who suspects something fishy is going on.

[–] Ghenghy 12 years ago

Alan Alda was the biggest pussy they could find to play the part, dont know why he was cast but he ruined what otherwise could have been a decent film. The book was a masterpiece, the movie...eh.

[–] jabell 10 years ago

I was seeing James Franciscus playing Miles. Alan Alda was SO miscast! Even Bradford Dillman (who played Barbara Parkins' ex-husband) would have been a better Miles.

Boo Hoo! Let me wipe away the tears with my PLASTIC hand!--Lindsey McDonald (Angel)

[–] Lovetvshows 10 years ago

I was thinking about Bill Bixby or Christopher George in the lead. They would have brought more sex appeal to the role than Alan Alda.

[–] ElectricWarlock 10 years ago

I thought James Brolin would've been good in the role.