Just rented the DVD. What a great film. And I think it was made by a Studio! The "indie" arms of the studios wouldn't make a film like this anymore. They'd want to dumb it down in terms of its comedy or add sex and violence. Great film. Too bad the people running the studios these days are all about the biggest pile of cash at once as opposed to making films for niche audiences as well.
shareI couldn't agree more. I've seen this movie so many times and it just gets better and better. It's a masterpiece of film making and I think Jack Nicholson's finest performance (aside from Cuckoo's nest). I was bummed to see a biography on Jack and they never mentioned this film. Hal Ashby is such a great fimmaker and you are corret, they would never make a film like this today. They probably couldn't. It was just perfect.
When they get drunk, miss their train and check into the hotel I just have to have a beer with them :-)
A forgotten gem.
I agree 100%. This movie is a *beep* gem! Great story and great actors.'
"When they get drunk, miss their train and check into the hotel I just have to have a beer with them :-) "
I have the same exact feeling every single time :)
I agree, I have just seen this picture for the first time, damn near perfect in every respect, nothing more to add.
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I'd have to disagree. I'm not sure how it was produced (in terms of which companies got involved... ) but think about Sideways, for just one recent example? Good films will always find an audience, irrespective of which decade they're made in. It's true that studios aren't massproducing films that take risks anymore, like they did in the late '60's and '70's; but that doesn't mean that a few don't slip through the cracks and still manage to be successful. It's just a matter of knowing where to look.
"Americans are prudes who left Europe 'cos they hated all the kinky sex"
Well, I didn't think Sideways was all that great. Most people loved it but it didn't do it for me. I enjoyed it a little it but not like most people and certainly not on the level as the Last Detail. Though, I am quite biased because this is in my top ten of all-time :-)
shareThe climate no longer exists in the industry for true independants. An occasional film like Sideways, Happiness, Momento etc. does get made, but the amount of films made solely to rehash what worked previously for the sake of the mighty green dollar, far outweighs artistic vision. It is a socialogical fact in this country that the free thinking era created in the Beat generation and perfected in the rise of the 60's has long since been snuffed out. You are dead wrong if you think films have not lost touch, the great last golden era in American film making was taken over by fluff in 1977. The three nails in the coffin were Rocky, Jaws, and lastly Star Wars, after that, films that make you think became a rare commodity to films that make big conglomerates money. To say that they are still being made but that you simply have to know how to look is a bit negectful of the true situation in our culture. You have to look alright, you really have to look hard nowadays.
share<The three nails in the coffin were Rocky, Jaws, and lastly Star Wars>
Actually to clarify, not original 'Rocky' but the sequel franchise afterwards. 'Rocky' was a modest little Indie that no-one wanted to take a chance on until United Artists/Transamerica corp. stepped up to support it. Agreed on the other two though.
Films like 'Last Detail' were plentiful & really the norm around that time in the 70s beofre movies went big business. Many instances of lightning in a bottle.
Rocky 1 was fine , as was Jaws 1 , Starwars 1 - Oh I see what you mean now lol . I blame CGI for everything else wrong .
That which does not Kill me makes me Stranger
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Put me firmly in the "biased" category. This movie is probably my favorite drama, though a few of Humphrey Bogart's movies give it a run. In any case this movie is in my top 5.
As much as I appreciate this movie I must admit it is not for everyone. Someone in this thread mentioned "Sideways" and I just don't see how one can mention these two movies in the same sentence. "Sideways" was a well made movie - don't get me wrong - but all that bourgeoise mid-life crisis stuff feels a little thin compared to the drama in "The Last Detail." But like I say, I'm biased: one man's meat is another's poison.
I've shown this movie to different women I've known over the years and none of them seem overly impressed by it. On the other hand several of my male friends also count this among their favorites. This is a goddamn manly movie that deals with male bonding and the subtle ways in which men express friendship and loyalty. Also there is a fair amount of (mostly very accurate) Navy jargon that might turn some people off. For the rest of us it brings back memories of standing watch at 4 AM on saturday morning and drinking lousy coffee.
I usually find an excuse to watch this movie about once a year with some friends. A few of these guys are also ex-swabbies and we all crack Heinekkens. "Best beer in the world, kid!. President Kennedy used to drink it."
In a cast filled with great performances, Randy Quaid's performance really stood out. What a simple, nuanced and heart-breaking performance.
shareI loved all but some editing in the midle of the film. I felt there was not harmony on those. But nothing that can harm this masterpiece!
shareRandy Quaid's performance really stood out. What a simple, nuanced and heart-breaking performance.I thought he was remarkable and better than Nicholson.
I'm not trying to break your heart,share
I'm just trying hard not to fall apart
Memorable performances all around. Otis Young was superb as well.
Quaid was awesome. Apparently he barely beat out Jeff Bridges for the role. Quaid nailed it.
This is one of Nicholson's best performances.
"For dark is the suede that mows like a harvest"
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