Hearts of the West (1975)
“There’s no such thing as wasted time for the writer; he’s always thinking.”
“There’s no such thing as wasted time for the writer; he’s always thinking.”
“Things are indeed hopeless. Hopeless! But they’re not serious.”
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Review: The performances are a mixed bag as well: it’s always a treat to see Astaire dancing on screen (he’s still sprightly at the age of 69), and he’s nicely cast here as the mischievous Finian; but Steele is ultimately overbearing as Og the Leprechaun (he’ll get on your nerves), and Clark’s primary selling point is her incomparable voice. She seems a bit old for the part, and doesn’t project quite enough charisma for such a central role; compare her performance with that of Janet Munro in Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) for an effective study in contrasts. The musical score is a winner (you’re guaranteed to be humming the theme song — “Look to the Rainbow” — for days after the film is over), and Coppola does a nice job bringing at least some of the action and dancing to real-life settings (as during the opening sequences, filmed in Napa Valley). But this one ultimately isn’t successful enough to recommend as must-see to anyone but diehard musical fans. Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
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“Jack Powell had always longed to fly… In every day-dream he heard the whir of wings.”
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Response to Peary’s Review: Actually, the points made in both of Peary’s assessments ring true. While the storyline itself remains as simplistic and cliched as that found in (far too) many silent films, Wellman’s overall craftmanship can’t be denied — and the aerial sequences are undeniably stunning. Knowing that all the stunts and effects were achieved in real life (no CGI to fall back on!), one simply marvels at the audacity of both Wellman’s vision and his intrepid crew (Rogers and Arlen actually learned to fly); viewing the 35-minute “making of” documentary on the recently restored DVD version of the film gives added insights into exactly how risky (and innovative) much of the filming was. Meanwhile, the non-aerial battle scenes are just as impressive, and rival those found in King Vidor’s The Big Parade (1925). Regarding the lead actors, I actually find Rogers’ performance adequately charismatic, and handsome Arlen’s appropriately subdued (especially given that he’s holding onto a powerful secret the entire time); poor Bow’s character is simply put through the ringer — but so it goes, I suppose, when you’ll do anything for your man. Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
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“Everybody on this island’s a killer.”
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Response to Peary’s Review: The one exception to this latter category is Tom Selleck’s gentle “Dr. Milford”, notoriously sent to the island for conducting a mercy killing; it’s too bad his semi-interesting character is quickly forgotten in favor of endless scenes of bloody violence. Analogies to Lord of the Flies are inevitable, but despite Peary’s claim that it remains “interesting… because of [its] feminist-humanist themes” (and the fact that “the women and men renegades… shar[e] in the action, the danger, the plotting of war strategy”), its disappointing screenplay — which “deals with a civil war for supremacy of the island” — comes nowhere close to effectively exploring this inherently provocative premise. Peary’s a big fan of this one, but I’m not. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“Those men aren’t going to pay ten bucks to look at your face; this is Broadway!”
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“There’s something rotten about a world that’s got to be wet down every thirty years with the blood of boys like those.”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“Never look down; always look up!”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“To die among friends; can a man ask for more?”
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Review: Note: Van Heflin gives the most impassioned and nuanced performance in the film, playing Athos with an appropriate level of brooding; whenever he’s on screen, one can’t help becoming absorbed in the story. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“The only land I’ll settle down on will be under a tombstone.”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Categories
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“Hired? For what? I don’t even know what business you’re in!”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |