1980 action comedyRating: 16/20
Plot: Cameron, a Vietnam veteran on the run from the police, stumbles into a production of a war film directed by eccentric director Eli Cross. After he contributes in the death of a stunt man, Cross offers him a job as his replacement. The pay's good and the leading actress is attractive, so he accepts. He starts to wonder, however, whether the director wants him to survive his stunts or not.
Though flawed, The Stunt Man really has it all. Action. Suspense. Mystery. Humor. Romance. Philosophical reflections on our perceptions of reality and deity. Nudity. Intrigue. A great performance by O'Toole as the god-like director. Well-choreographed comedic stunt scenes. Twists. A fine score. A terrific script. And I absolutely love the opening scene involving a vulture, half-eaten apple, and a helicopter. With The Stunt Man, it's all about the dichotomies. This movie manages to be an over-the-top action movie and an art film simultaneously. It manages to be very subtle and in your face at the same time. This is a really interesting, multi-layered movie that will either come together or fall to pieces with subsequent viewings. It's not perfect (blame the editing), but it's a treat for both the brain and gut.
It's a little dated, but it's still a very quirky and fun film. As usual, O'Toole is great. A 16 for me, as well.
ReplyDeleteBonus grading of the awesome O'Toole's 10 greatest:
The Lion in Winter (20)
Becket (20)
Lawrence of Arabia (20)
Ratatouille (voice) (17)
The Ruling Class (17)
My Favorite Year (17)
The Stunt Man (16)
The Last Emporer (16)
How to Steal a Million (16)
Venus (15)
By the way, have you ever seen the porn film "Caligula". It is amazing seeing O'Toole, Gielgud, Malcolm McDowell and Helen Mirren involved in such a horrible film. Apparently O'Toole had no idea it was going to be so graphic, but since it was being produced by Penthouse, he probably should have had a clue.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen the infamous 'Caligula'...should I grab it? I'm a huge fan of porn, ya know.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to see 'The Ruling Class'.
As a married man, I'm not allowed to have an opinion on porn quality. I will say that it is fascinating to see the mixture of huge stars with huge...
ReplyDeleteYou should probably check it out.
I really like "The Ruling Class" which is an excellent black comedy, but I was hoping to hear you say that you were going to run out instantly to get my beloved "Becket", and would not eat or drink or go to the bathroom until you saw it. It was nominated for 13 Academy Awards, but I believe it only won one (one of O'Toole's seven or eight nominations for a role without a victory). Oh well.
Well, I just put 'Beckett' on hold, but I'll likely both eat and drink before seeing it. And I'm probably going to the bathroom in about five minutes right before I go to bed. But I'll see it within a couple weeks.
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited (about the movie, not about you going to the john). You'll want to make sure it is "Becket" with one t and not some TV movie about Samuel Beckett. Then I would not be excited.
ReplyDeleteSince you won't do an all-time list for me, are there any Shane favorites that I have not seen?
I wonder what I'd get to see if I got 'Beckettt' with three t's...
ReplyDeleteI'll do that all-time list eventually. It seems like a summer project. As far as favorites of mine that you've maybe not seen...I'm sure there are lots of things that you'd absolutely hate. Do those count? Kurosawa's 'Ikiru' and 'Grave of the Fireflies' (the latter not Kurosawa) are both vital. You've seen those Hulot movies? 'Wages of Fear'? The Santo movies are the best Mexican wrestler superhero movies I've ever seen. 'Tampopo'! 'Le Samourai' (French movie without samurai in it). I love all Jan Svankmajer's movies. You've still got to see Kinski in Herzog's 'Fitzcarraldo' some time. Have you seen 'Kind Hearts and Coronets' or the original 'The Ladykillers'? 'Battleship Potemkin' is a really powerful silent film.
I've seen many that you mention. "Potemkin" is amazing, "Wages of Fear" was incredibly intense. I love most of the Ealing Studios stuff, especially "The Ladykillers", "Coronets", and "The Lavender Hill Mob". Two of the three best from Ealing are two you may not of heard of: "Whiskey Galore" and a great horror film called "Dead of Night".
ReplyDeleteI tried to watch "Ikiru" but the dvd was messed up, and I have been meaning to see "Hulot" and "Fitzcarraldo" (I had to choose between that and "Aguirre..."). I'll check out "...Fireflies". I may need some convincing before watching any Mexican wrestler movies, and are you sure this Svankmajer dude would be my cup of tea (in honor of Ealing)? I looked at his filmography and it scares me.
No, you'd probably hate Svankmajer. I'll bring the dvd's of Svankmajer shorts (one which I've not watched yet) West next time we find our way out there.
ReplyDeleteI don't know 'Whiskey Galore' or 'Dead of Night' but I'll check them out.
Those Mexican wrestler movies would appeal to anybody who thinks the original Batman television series is great. Surely that describes you...