I just caught this film again on a cable channel and remembered how much I like it. Most people will consider this a "small" film because it doesn't have a lot of action, but there are some suspenseful moments - especially near the end. During World War II, Sissy Spacek plays a small-town phone operator raising her two sons on her own. In fact, the switchboard is in the home where they live. Many of the townspeople have no phone of their own and come to Sissy's home to make calls and sometimes to receive that dreaded call informing them that their husband/son, etc. has been wounded, killed or is missing in action. Oft-seen character actor R.G. Armstrong turns in his usual strong performance as Sissy's manipulative boss. Sissy's philandering former husband is played well by Sam Shepard in a small but pivotal role. Playing their usual (but this time creepy!) Southern "good ol' boys" are Tracey Walter (seen recently as the provider of "insider" evidence in ERIN BROCKOVICH) and William Sanderson (perhaps best known as Larry with his brother Darryl and his other brother Darryl on T.V.'s NEWHEART or for his role in BLADERUNNER). They make great troublemakers in this film. Henry Thomas plays Sissy's older son and reveals the strength of character and sensitivity that he will later show as Elliot in E.T. But the leads, Sissy and Eric Roberts, are my favorites. They are terrific together but also great when apart onscreen. Sissy has a fun moment alone singing and dancing as "Rum & Coca-Cola" plays on the radio while she is housecleaning. She's also good when she tries and finally succeeds at standing up to her boss. And she's definitely believable as the boys' "Mom". Eric, as a young sailor on a short leave, has a great early scene talking on the telephone and is absolutely wonderful in his scenes with the two boys. I love it when he tries to make the boys feel better as he leaves to go back to his ship - he names his two shoes after them so that they will always be with him, calling out their names with each step as he walks off down the street. And then there are the scenes with Sissy and Eric together - tender, sweet and romantic. If you have forgotten like I had, this film will remind you what a beautiful young man Eric was, before the ravages of time and how ever many broken noses he has had, changed him into the more rugged but still handsome man he is today. A few more films (STAR 80, RUNAWAY TRAIN, to name but two) have also shown us what a fine actor he is, but unfortunately, most A-list directors and producers tend to ignore him so that he has become a B-movie regular. I saw him on Broadway about 10 years ago as the lead in BURN THIS, and he was amazing. Come on, somebody, cast him in a really good role in a really good film! He deserves the role and movie-goers deserve to see him at his best. In the meantime, we can enjoy this film.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Brewster McCloud
(1970)
Quirky, fun, thought-provoking and definitely a 1970 "trippy" kind of film
31 August 2001
Of the same ilk as other films from its era like HAROLD AND MAUDE and KING OF HEARTS, but this film is even a little more "out there". Like those other two gems, I first saw this film around 1971 or 1972 when it played often on campus at the University of Michigan - one of the much-requested cult films of its time. I haven't seen it in several years, but keep hoping to catch it on one of the cable film channels again someday soon. What fun for the actors to play such over-the-top characters, especially Jennifer Salt, Michael Murphy and Stacy Keach as well as the very weird professor that Rene Auberjoinois played, who became progressively more bird-like as the film cut to each of his bird lectures. Who knows what prompted Robert Altman to first cast Bud Cort in the minor role he played in MASH, but after getting to know him, I'll bet Altman understood right away how perfect Cort would be as Brewster. I admire directors like Altman who loyally cast the same actors in various films, allowing us to see their versatility. Altman cast Cort, Murphy, Auberjoinois, Sally Kellerman and Shelley Duvall in other films. Do you remember which films and which roles? Check their filmographies to see how many Altman films they've each been in.
The Hoodlum Priest
(1961)
Powerful film that stays in my mind
31 August 2001
I first saw this film on T.V. when I was around 12 years old. It made a lasting and powerful impression. I remember actually sobbing at the end. The performances by both Don Murray and Keir Dullea were riveting. I've always been sorry that both actors had only a handful of truly great roles to play because they were/are capable of much more than they have been allowed to show us. Whenever I notice this film is appearing on T.V., I usually tune in. If you've never seen it or haven't seen it for a long time, watch for a chance to view it. I think you'll be moved by it.
Moulin Rouge!
(2001)
I love it
29 August 2001
I don't understand why some people don't like this film. Everyone I know found it at least to be entertaining. I was "knocked out" by its humor, clever use of music and even using lyrics occasionally as spoken dialogue. It was visually stunning. It was well cast, and the performances were very impressive. To those who complain that Ewan MacGregor lent all the real emotion to the story, may I point out what should be obvious because it's inherent to the script...there is meant to be a big difference between the two characters...a wide-eyed, innocent, romantic poet should seem more emotional than a jaded, worldly courtesan. And it is written from Ewan's character's viewpoint. Nicole expressed her character's emotions very believably, and she was funny in the humorous moments. I hope she chooses comedies more often than she has so far in her career. And finally, for the "Like A Virgin" number alone, this film was fun!
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