{"id":39366,"date":"2017-10-10T14:47:31","date_gmt":"2017-10-10T21:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=39366"},"modified":"2021-02-03T18:11:59","modified_gmt":"2021-02-04T01:11:59","slug":"tommy-1975","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=39366","title":{"rendered":"Tommy (1975)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;He hears but cannot answer to your call.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Poster-204x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"204\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-39367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Poster-204x300.jpg 204w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Poster-87x128.jpg 87w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA young boy (Barry Winch) whose mother (Ann-Margret) becomes a widow during WWII grows up blind, deaf, and mute. As an adult, Tommy (Roger Daltrey) is taken by his mother and step-father (Oliver Reed) to a preacher (Eric Clapton) and an &#8220;Acid Queen&#8221; (Tina Turner) who attempt to cure him, and is also left with abusive caretakers (Paul Nicholas and Keith Moon) who fail to elicit any reaction. When Tommy becomes a pinball champion, however, he develops an enormous following, and is soon a figure of religious reverence.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ann-Margret Films<\/li>\n<li>Blindness<\/li>\n<li>Cults<\/li>\n<li>Deafness<\/li>\n<li>Jack Nicholson Films<\/li>\n<li>Ken Russell Films<\/li>\n<li>Musicals<\/li>\n<li>Oliver Reed Films<\/li>\n<li>Rock &#8216;n Roll<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary writes that Ken Russell&#8217;s screen adaptation of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tommy_(album)\">&#8220;The Who&#8217;s rock opera&#8221; album<\/a> &#8212; about a &#8220;deaf, dumb, and blind English boy who is pitied, ignored, abandoned, and abused until his pinball wizardry makes him a national hero&#8221;: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Boy.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Boy-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-68403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Boy-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Boy-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Boy-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Boy-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Boy-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Boy-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Boy.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; is &#8220;ambitious, flamboyant, and at times imaginative, but eventually the succession of wild, colorful, and sometimes disgusting images wears you down&#8221;. He argues that &#8220;the picture&#8217;s about 40 minutes too long&#8221;, and that &#8220;another problem is that the score by Pete Townshend (with help from John Entwhistle and Keith Moon) doesn&#8217;t compare to the best Who music.&#8221; I&#8217;m in agreement with Peary&#8217;s assessment, and find it surprising that Ann-Margret &#8212; playing Tommy&#8217;s &#8220;tormented, heavy-drinking mother&#8221; &#8212; was nominated for an Oscar (presumably due to her multiple age-portrayals and impressively high level of dramatic &#8220;commitment&#8221;). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Ann-Margret.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Ann-Margret-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-68402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Ann-Margret-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Ann-Margret-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Ann-Margret-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Ann-Margret-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Ann-Margret-1536x832.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Ann-Margret-498x270.png 498w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tommy-Ann-Margret.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>With all that said, this film is much too creatively staged and shot not to be seen at least once &#8212; and fans will likely enjoy repeat visits.   <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Endlessly creative and surreal imagery, sets, and costumes<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets2-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-39374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets2-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets2-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets2-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets2-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-39373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Sets.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Costumes.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Costumes-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-39372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Costumes-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Costumes-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Costumes-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Costumes-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Costumes.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Stellar cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography2-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-39370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography2-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography2-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography2-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography2-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-39369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography3-1024x555.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"347\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-39371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography3-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography3-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography3-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography3-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tommy-Cinematography3.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nOnce, as a dizzying cult favorite by a reknowned director. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cult Movie<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0073812\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1975\/03\/20\/archives\/filmtommy-the-whos-rock-saga.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=2141&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/moria.co.nz\/fantasy\/tommy.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;He hears but cannot answer to your call.&#8221; Synopsis: A young boy (Barry Winch) whose mother (Ann-Margret) becomes a widow during WWII grows up blind, deaf, and mute. As an adult, Tommy (Roger Daltrey) is taken by his mother and step-father (Oliver Reed) to a preacher (Eric Clapton) and an &#8220;Acid Queen&#8221; (Tina Turner) who attempt to cure him, and is also left with abusive caretakers (Paul Nicholas and Keith Moon) who fail to elicit any reaction. When Tommy becomes&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=39366\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39366"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68404,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39366\/revisions\/68404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}