DVD Review - The Man in the Steel Mask [aka Who?] (1973)

Blu-Ray Review - The Long Goodbye (1973)

Genre:
Crime, Thriller, Drama
Distributor:
Arrow Video
Rating:
18
BD Release Date:
16th December 2013 (UK)
Director:
Robert Altman
Cast:
Elliott Gould, Nina van Pallandt, Sterling Hayden
Buy The Long Goodbye: Blu-ray [Amazon]

One of the films Robert Altman followed up his revisionist western McCabe &Mrs. Miller with was perhaps his most savage genre revision of a career of many with The Long Goodbye. It was his return to Hollywood after he made his more European flavoured psychological thriller Images in Ireland.

One night Terry Lennox askes for a lift down to Tijuana on the US/Mexico border when he visits Marlowe. He obliges and drives him but the next morning he is met by cops when he wakes him informing him Terry Lennox has committed suicide and murdered his wife. It starts a chain of events involving Marlowe tracking done a writer after being hired by his wife and being involved with some local L.A gangsters. As usual when it comes to these tales there is more than meets the eye.

The film is extremely loosely based on Raymond Chandler’s novel of the same title. The source novel featured his most famous creation the Private investigator Philip Marlowe most famously played by Humphrey Bogart in Howard Hawks’ adaptation of The Big Sleep. The screenwriter Leigh Brackett was responsible for both adaptations but they couldn’t be more different and Robert Altman had a lot of input in the final script. Altman’s radical approach to the storytelling was crystalized in the fact he never actually read the entire book and actually was more inspired by Raymond Chandler Speaking, which was a collection of letters and essays.

Elliot Gould plays Philip Marlowe and the case could be made he gives the gives the finest portrayal of Marlowe even though in many ways different from the source character. His portrayal was a clear inspiration for The Dude in The Big Lebowski which itself is a radical homage to Chandler. Marlowe during the famous cat-feeding scene he comes off a bit stoned to say the least that draws parallels to The Dude. He pulls the mumbling wise cracking of Marlowe to a t without it ever seeming false. Gould’s portrayed left such an imprint on Chandler’s estate he was later hired many times to read Chandler’s work on tape.

The Long Goodbye is one of Altman’s more contained films than the more ensemble satirical dramas he is more known for like Nashville, Short Cuts and M*A*S*H. The 70s was clearly the decade the majority of his great work came out even though he had some phenomenal work in the early 90s.

It’s a radical reworking of a much-celebrated author; the British critics were particularly harsh on the film because it wasn’t the Bogart take on Marlowe. It’s one of the few films he made with a clearly defined lead character and it helps the film in many ways and the fact it’s Elliot Gould in his personal favourite performance doesn’t harm the proceedings.

The film was a financial flop on its initial release but has since became a critical and fan favourite. It’s one of the last great neo-noirs of the 1970s along with Chinatown and Night Moves. It was last decade till recently that because of the current Political climates these stories seemed timely and not out of date. Arrow Video has released one of their finest Blu-Rays with a wealth of material including an hour-long doc on Robert Altman, an hour-long conversation with Elliot Gould, old features from the region 1 dvd along with new interviews with specialists on Altman, Chandler and Hard-Boiled Fiction.

It’s ok with me.

★★★★★

Ian Schultz

EIFF 2012: Fred Review

★★★★☆

Richard Ledes' heartfelt drama, Fred, receives its world premiere at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival, and this poignant feature is likely to strike an emotional chord with many of us.   

Elliott Gould stars as Fred, an elderly man living in his house of over fifty years, with his Alzheimer's suffering wife, Susan (Judith Roberts).  Fred's grown-up children (Fred Melamed and Stephanie Roth Haberle) try to convince him to move to a care home with Susan, but he is not ready to leave yet.  

Fred is a delicately handled film, with Ledes directing in an almost fly on the wall style. As a viewer, we feel part of the family's most intimate moments, which results in a completely absorbing watch. It is impossible not to get drawn in as the family sing Susan's favourite songs to her or reminisce with Fred.

Alongside some striking cinematography from Valentina Caniglia, Ledes has the ability to make almost any shot seem poignant and heartfelt. This is at its most prevalent through shots of the slow withering of the exterior of Fred's home or the near spiritual representation of the nature that surrounds it.

Ledes' screenplay is a wonderful fusion of deadpan comedy (mostly courtesy of the perfectly timed comic skills of Gould and Melamed) and touching drama. Fred also has its share of challenging moments - it is difficult to watch Fred's struggle with his wife's condition as he also attempts to battle his own ailing health. This is shown in one such sequence where Fred attempts to make Susan grip the telephone, but loses his temper at her inability to do so.

Fred reflects issues that are likely to strike a chord with many of us, excelling in its delicate portrayal of the aging process. These well crafted characters ensure the viewer feels the dilemma of Fred's children, as well as empathising with Fred's desire to grasp to his independence at home. These issues are perfectly represented from a wonderful cast.

Judith Roberts truly excels in her turn as Susan, a strong willed woman that the audience completely warm to. Seeing Susan coping with the struggles of everyday life and finding joy with her loved ones, amidst the effects of Alzheimers is heart warming.  Elliott Gould is perfectly cast in the title role, shining through welcome moments of humour, as well as more emotionally heavy scenes. Fred Melamed, impresses greatly with his deadpan wit, whilst Stephanie Roth Haberle gives a touching performance as Fred's exasperated daughter.

Fred is a delicately crafted and heartfelt portrayal of the aging process. The combination of touching drama and deadpan humour alongside stellar performances from the main players, proves a winning combination.

Andrew McArthur

Stars: Elliott Gould, Judith Roberts, Fred Melamed , Stephanie Roth Haberle
Director: Richard Ledes
Release: 22nd June 2012 (EIFF)