MovieChat Forums > The Formula (1980) Discussion > A Fascinating, Frustrating Movie

A Fascinating, Frustrating Movie

posted 17 years ago by gnolti
4 replies | jump to latest

Fascinating: very impressive production, superior performances from everybody (and just about everybody is in it), a compelling score, and themes that are probably more relevant to the 21st century energy crisis than they were during the Cold War.

Frustrating: Schlesinger and Frankenheimer must have both turned down the project, which is unfortunate, because they could have brought a magic to the material, which is clearly above John Avildsen's head. The lack of transitional scenes not in and of themselves essential (the interception of the German convoy; a token love scene or two) repeatedly disrupt continuity.

The film is reminiscent of several 70s suspense classics (Marathon Man, Network) and might have been a fitting successor to all of them. I chalk it up to the 80s Curse: the industry was already redistributing its resources toward making blockbusters, not well-crafted dramas.

Deserves a much wider audience, nonetheless. Worth the price of admission just to see Marlon Brando as a Machiavellian oil tycoon, looking and talking for all the world like Dick Cheney.

Sorry, I wasn't listening -- or thinking, whichever one applies.

[–] jrs-8 17 years ago

I agree this is a fascinating but very frustrating film. It could have been a terrific thriller. I have an article tucked away at home in regards to this film. Writer Steve Shagan took away the film from Avildsen in post production and made so many changes that Avildsen wrote a 37 page memo to the studio detailing the changes and what was wrong with them. Apparently the studio agreed with some of what Avildsen wrote because certain things Shagan changed were fixed the way Avildsen wanted it. It would be interesting to see Avildsen's desired version. The material may have been over his head but perhaps he could have pulled it off without interference. I think the DVD is out now and possibly Avildsen has a commentary track. If so it would be worth buying to listen to it.

[–] tcliffton 17 years ago

The DVD copy I saw did have an Avildsen commentary track. No much in the way of interesting back history or film making tidbits about working with the heavy weights in the film. He spends an inordinate amount of time going ON and ON about how gorgeous and dreamy the bit part actor is who played the army captain that recieved the german generals in the beginning of the film. It was kind of creepy actually.

[–] Mr_McLaurel 17 years ago

I agree with you about the direction. There were some scenes that appeared to be missing - the implied sex between Scott's character and Marthe Heller chief among them. Not that I'm clamoring to see such a scene!

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] jrs-8 17 years ago

I re-read the article and it seems Shagan was angry that Avildsen let some of the actors improvise things and not sticking to Shagan's script. Two major disagreements between the two: The first scene in flashback (If I remember right this scene is still in the movie) is too confusing and complicated and gets the viewer off on the wrong track. Avildsen (and George C. Scott) thought the scene should be removed thus starting with the next scene which actually gets the main conflict under way. The other was the scene (the best in the movie in my opinion) in which Brnado talks to Scott about the value of oil, gas and the local attendant who was always there when you needed him. Shagan wanted the scene removed because, according to Avidlsen, it wasn't a scene he had written but one Brando came up with. Thankfully brighter heads prevailed and the scene remains. Still in all this is a major letdown considering the talent involved and one wonders what may have happened if the film was left alone with no post-production tampering.