They don't make them like this anymore
Outstanding story. Balls to the wall acting.
shareI couldn't agree more. I saw this in the theater when it was released and it affected me. Duvall made you hate him and then sympathize. O'Keefe and the rest of the family were totally believable as long-term victims of abuse. And the subplot with Toomer stayed with me for decades. Seeing it on TCM today, I remembered him on his bus trying to protect his dogs just like I'd first seen it yesterday. Amazing film.
shareOnly thing that could have made it better back then was if it had been directed by Spielberg (see Empire of the Sun). Thats the only thing I would have changed. I can't see this ever needing a remake though.
shareSpielberg would have made it all about the younger kids, which would have ruined it. The movie is perfect just as it is.
shareThis movie is a hidden treasure. My youngest sons watched the "The Judge" a few weeks ago and couldn't believe Duvall was Tom Hagen from GFI and GII. I told them that Duvall's best movie is "The Great Santini". So many great scenes and Duvall just captivates the audience. And so many people forget other great roles : "Apocalypse Now", and one of my other favorites, "Network". And a few days ago, for the umpteenth time, I watched "The Natural". Even in a smaller role, as Max Mercy, Duvall is so very good as a slimy, backstabbing, headline-grabbing, manipulative baseball writer. IMO, Duvall is the best actor of his generation
shareThis movie is a hidden treasure.
That's the perfect way to describe this film. I watched it last night for the first time in years and was mesmerized all over again, especially by Michael O'Keefe. I'd forgotten how talented he is as Ben. He reminds me a great deal of Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People. Both actors bring a vulnerability to their roles while also being extremely unpredictable. share