Film Review - The Player "25 words or less!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, I figured its time for a new post and this one will feature new content (for a change lol!) and it will be on a film I recently watched, which is the satirical comedy, The Player, which was acclaimed on its release for its humorous yet scathing depiction of Hollywood execs and the studio system. 

So, with that all said let's take another look at the Player and see how it fairs some 31 years later...

And the usual warning is coming...

PLOT SPOILERS ARE AHEAD!!!

STORY

So, the film centers around a Hollywood film executive, Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) who is getting harrassed by a writer, who he apparently turned down in the past and is now sending Mill death threats via post cards. Mill takes it upon himself to then try and track down the writer himself and he ends up checking his office records, which lead him to a writer named David Kahane.

Mill then goes to meet with David Kahane (played by Vincent D'Onofrio) at a cinema where he is watching the Italian classic film, Bicycle Thieves. After the film, Mill introduces himself and they go to a bar where Mill offers Kahane a shot at making his film but Kahane turns him down and leaves. However after Mill leaves the bar, Kahane soon catches up with him and taunts him over how he knows Mill's job is under threat by another exec, Larry Levy (Peter Gallagher). When Mill angrily tells Kahane to stop sending him postcards, Kahane denies he ever did and as the two men continue to argue, Kahane pushes Mill off his feet when Mill puts his hand on Kahane's car window. However when Kahane decides to check Mill is OK, Mill suddenly grabs and drowns Kahane in a shallow pool of water.  Realising what he's done, Mill then steals money from Kahane's wallet to make it look like a robbery and smashes Kahane's car window to destroy his fingerprints. 

The next day, the studio security chief, Walter (Fred Ward) tells Mill about Kahane's murder but Mill denies that he killed Kahane but does admit that he did meet with him regarding making a deal for a movie. However at this point, Mill receives a fax from the mysterious writer confirming that he had killed the wrong man. 

Mill then after attends Kahane's funeral and meets with Kahane's girlfriend and painter, June Gudmonsdottir (Greta Sachhi) who he spoke to the night of Kahane's death. Mill then takes June back home and they two of them appear to show a connection with one another despite Kahane's death, June is still taken by Mill and she takes a picture of him for one of her paintings.   

Mill afterward receives another postcard from the mysterious writer telling him to meet with him alone at a bar. However at the night of the meeting, Mill is ambushed by two writers, Andy Sivela (Dean Stockwell) and Tom Oakley (Richard E Grant) who pitches an idea for a new movie where the female lead dies and the writer insists that there should be no Hollywood endings and no stars for the project, Mill intrigued tells the men to see him tomorrow to pitch the idea to Levy, who is now working at the same studio as Mill. 

Mill however on leaving the bar, finds a package in his car and receives a fax again from the writer telling him to open the package, which is revealed to carry a rattlesnake. Mill, terrified pulls over and kills the snake by using an umbrella and he yells in anger at the writer's attempt to kill him. Mill afterward goes to visit June, clearly shaken by the event, he confesses his attraction to June but although she appears to feel the same, she tells Mill its too soon and he should go home and get some rest but he should call her to go out sometime. 

The next day, Mill has his meeting with Andy and Tom as Tom pitches the idea to Levy, who is out driving. Levy is also intrigued by the pitch but balks at the suggestion of there being no stars but Mill tries to sell it to him and tells Andy and Tom that Levy liked the pitch and things look promising for them. However after they leave, Mill admits to his assistant he intends to let Levy take the project, so it will flop and he will take the credit for stepping in to save it. 

Levy then pitches the idea to the head of the studio Joel Levison (Brion James) who is reluctant at first due to the downbeat ending but insists the film must have sex scenes to make up for it. Mill also insists that Levy take the project much to the surprise of his girlfriend and story editor Bonnie Sherow (Cynthia Stevenson) who suspects something is up with him and she also suspects he is seeing someone else but he denies it as he sends her on a project for the weekend. During the weekend however, Mill starts to see June as they two of them go out together for a Hollywood awards banquet.

Meanwhile the police are suspicious of Mill's involvement in Kahane's death and he is brought in for questioning by Detective Avery (Whoopi Goldberg). Avery makes some lurid comments about Mill's relationship with June and Mill refuses to disclose if they have had romantic relations or not much to the amusement of the police officers. 

After the weekend however, Bonnie returns to find out that Mill has been seeing June and he coldly breaks up with her. Mill then decides to take June away for a romantic trip abroad but at the airport, Mill notices one of the cops that has been following him Detective DeLongpre (Lyle Lovett) and makes an excuse to June that he forgot his passport and decides to take her to a spa resort in the desert. At the resort, Mill tells June about his job and what he does and after they have sex during which Mil confesses his involvement in Kahane's murder but June forgives him.  

However not long afterward, Mill receives a call from his lawyer (Sydney Pollack) who tells him that he is to appear at a police line-up as there has been an eye-witness to the murder. And its from here Mill's shaky future lies ahead as he hopes to escape being identified and survive the politics at the studio...

THOUGHTS

As a satire on Hollywood, The Player does a great job at showing the cut throat nature of the business and how ruthless some of the execs can be but at the same it also manages to be a funny and highly entertaining film. The film also features a star-studded cast with many famous Hollywood actors making cameo appearances throughout such as Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, Jack Lemmon, Malcolm MacDowell and Burt Reynolds to name a few and plenty of established actors playing character roles in the film also. And the director, Robert Altman does a very skillful job at weaving the main story of Mill's drama while also juggling the Hollywood film stars that appear throughout in an effortless way that makes this one of his best films. 

PERFORMANCES AND NOTABLE SCENES (Warning: this section may contain spoilers and strong language!).

As for the main cast, the performances are all excellent and the cast give it their best. 

Starting with Tim Robbins, who is great in his role as Griffin Mill, a Hollywood exec, who is in over his head after accidentally killing a writer he believed to be hassling him but in the end its turns he got the wrong man.  

And Tim has plenty of good scenes but I will just try and mention no more than a few to keep the post length down a bit. Starting with the scene where Mill meets with the studio security manager, Walter who confronts over his involvement in Kahane's murder, which Mill at first denies meeting with but then admits to but denies killing him.

So, in the scene Mill walks into his office to see Walter sitting there in Mill's chair with a basketball and  Mill says to him "Hey, Walter, make yourself at home". Walter get's up and Mill smiles nervously and asks him "What are you doing here? You haven't come to pitch me a story" and Walter says "That's exactly what I've come here for. Its a good one too, its about a writer, sort of. David Kahane" and Mill looks uncomfortable and says "David Kahane...who's he?" and Walter says "Oh, you met him" and Mill smiles and says "I meet with alot of writers". Walter then says "Yeah but this writer was murdered last night outside the Rialto theatre in Pasedenaand Mill nervously asks "Murdered? What happened?" and Walter says "25 words or less? Alright. Exec calls writer, speaks to writer's girlfriend, exec goes to meet writer at the movies, writer dies conked in four feet of muddy water, exec is in deep shit. What do you think?" and Mill says "That's more than 25 words and its bullshit!".

Mill then admits "I didn't kill him, Walter. I know I said I didn't meet with him but I did" and Walter asks "Why did you lie to me?" and Mill nervously says "Its not a good time, Walter. Haven't you heard the rumours? I'm on my way out, its all I need is a little more controversy. Its not a good time, Walter!". Walter then tells Mill "Look, I am in charge of security in every defintion of the word. Its up to me to keep this very, very, very QUIET! Do you wanna help?" and Mill says "Of course" and Walter angrily says "Then stop lying! How many meetings did you have with this guy?" and Mill says "Just one" and Walter asks "Not counting last night?" and Mill says "Not counting last night".Walter continues to press Mill who anxiously says "For Christ's sake, Walter! What is this?" and Walter says "Its called the 3rd degree and if you don't like then wait until the police start asking questions!" and Mill angrily says "I'm going to the police right now and you come with me! You come with me!!". Walter then says "You sound like someone who's guilty! You're not guilty are you?" and Mill says "For the last time, I'm not a murderer!". However then a fax comes through, which is the from the mysterious writer and Walter asks "Is it bad news? The fax?" and Mill takes it and puts it in his jacket and says "No, business as usual".

Then there is the scene where Mill has a near death experience with a rattlesnake planted in his land rover by the unhinged writer. So, in the scene stops his land rover, get's out takes off his shirt and grabs an umbrella from the back and proceeds to beat the snake to death and he yells "YOU FUCKING DOGSHIT WRITER! YOU FUCKING TRY TO KILL ME???!!". And we cut to June doing one of her paintings and she looks up to see Mill stand outside her door and she let's him in and Mill is clearly shaken from the incident. So, Mill confesses to June he is attracted to her and says "I keep thinking about that night I first saw you as I stood outside and watching you and it all felt...fresh and new. And tonight all I could think of was you, I can't get you out of my mind".  And June smiles and asks him "Are you making love to me?" and Mill smiles awkwardly and says "I guess I am! I wanna make love to you" but June says to him "Its too soon. Look why don't you go home and get some rest". June then opens the door for Mill and he get's up and says "Sorry" and June says "No, don't be sorry, just go home and get some sleep and then call me". 

Another good scene is the one where Mill goes to police station to meet with Detective Avery and look at mug shots relating to Kahane's murder. So, in the scene Mill explains to Avery how he has befriended Kahane's girlfriend, June and Avery get's a bit crude as she asks about how far along they are in the relationship.

So, in the scene Mill tells Avery "Well, we spoke on the phone that night and at the funeral I met with her again and then one thing lead to another". Avery then bluntly asks "You fuck her?" and Mill taken aback asks "What kind of question is that?!" and Avery says "I think it was pretty direct. Did you fuck her?" and Mill tells her "Well, I don't think I would answer that question without a lawyer in the room and then, I don't think I'd even answer that question". Mill then looks over to DeLongpre who has been following Mill alot and says "Why don't you ask him? He's been following me everywhere the last few deaths". Avery then asks DeLongpre did they have sex and he says he didn't see them and she says to Mill "There ya go. You see? You got away with it!" and Mill angrily asks "What do you mean?" and Avery says "Well excuse me but I think its a bit early for her to be gallivanting in the streets with you!".Mill then tells her curtly "I there with her as a friend, Miss Avery. What is this? Fucking Iran?! I mean how long should we grief with someone? Should I follow the code of conduct for her?". And Avery and the other officers all starting laughing, which makes Mill more angry and he shouts "What the fuck are you laughing at???!". 

And last of all is the scene where Mill takes June to the spa resort and they take a walk around the grounds at night as June asks Mill more about what he does. So, Mill tells her "Well, I listen to stories and decide which ones get made into pictures and once they get them made, they think its going to be them and Jack Nicholson on the slopes of Aspen. That's what they think. The only problem is, my studio can only say yes 12 times a year and sometimes I'm not nice and make enemies and that is what I was to David, an enemy". June asks "Was his story one of the 12?" and Mill tells her "No it wasn't" and she asks "Why not?" and Mill says "It lacked certain elements we needed to market a film successfully" and June asks "What elements?" and Mill says "Suspense, laughter, violence. Hope, heart, nudity, sex. Happy endings. Mainly happy endings". June then asks "What about reality?" and Mill smiles at her and asks "You're not from Iceland are you?" and June says "Did I say that? Then why don't you put me in the hotsprings and see if I melt?". 

Greta Sacchi next up is excellent in her role as June, the girlfriend of David Kahane, who Mill becomes involved with after Kahane's murder. 

And Sacchi has a few scenes of note such as the first when where Mill calls her and they talk for a little while as she paints. So, in the scene Mill asks about her surname "What is it?" and June sighs and says "Oh, here we go. Nobody can pronoucne it properly and you'll never get it" and Mill asks "Try me" and June says "OK. Gudmunsdottir" and she repeats for Mill and he says to back to her quite well and she smiles and says "Hey! Very good!". Mill then asks her "What do people usually say?" and June says "Oh! Anything from Godswater to Goolash-wallop!" and Mill laughs. Mill then asks where Kahane is and she says "He's at the movies?" and Mill "Which theatre?" and she says "The Rialto in the Pasedena. He always goes there" and Mill asks "What movie?" and she says "The Bicycle Thief, I think". Mill then says "Its a good movie, you seen it?" and June tells him "Ohh, I don't go to the movies" and Mill asks "Why not?" and she looks at him through the window and says "Life's too short. I'm gonna hang up now". 

Then there is the scene where shortly after Kahane's funeral, Mill takes her home and they talk as June takes pictures of Mill for her paintings. So, as Mill looks around at her pictures he asks her "These are very interesting. I like them. Where do you show?" and June "Hmm?" and Mill says "Gallery. Who's your dealer?" and she says "I don't have a dealer. I could never sell these. They're never finished" and Mill asks "They're never finished?" and June says "No, they're just what I do. For myself. What I feel". Mill then mentions how people should pay for the crimes after Kahane's death is mentioned and June says "Really. Isn't knowing that you suffered for the crime enough? Maybe if you didn't suffer, it wasn't really a crime" and Mill smiles and says "You don't really believe that, do you?" and June says "Its not what I believe, its what I feel". Mill smiles and says to her "You know what you are, June whatever your name is? You're a pragmatic anarchist" and June laughs and says "Oh, is that what I am? I always wondered" and Mill takes a polaroid picture of her. 

Then there is the scene where Mill shaken after his incident with the rattlesnake (or rattled even!) goes to June and he tells he's attracted to her. And Mill says "I can't get you out of my mind" and June asks "Are you making love to me?" and Mill laughs and says "I suppose I am. I want to make love to you" and after a moment June says "Its too soon". June then says "I think you better go now. I'm think going to cry now" and she opens the door for Mill and she says "You better go, quick". Mill get's up and says "I'm sorry" and June says "No, don't be sorry, just go home and get some sleep and call me". 

And last of all is the scene where Mill takes June to the spa resort and they walk on the grounds and he tells her about what his job is about and how Kahane's story lacked certain key elements for its to be made into a movie. So, June then asks "What about reality?" and Mill looks at her and says" You're not from Iceland, are you?" and June smiles and says "Did I say that? Well, why don't you put me in the hotsprings and see if I melt". 

Fred Ward is also very good in his role as Walter Stuckel, the studio's head of security, who tries to protect Mill after his suspicion of murder by the police. 

And Ward's most notable scene is the one where Walter meets with Mill and tells him about Kahane's murder and the police's interest in him. 

So, in the scene Mill at first denies meeting with Kahane but Walter tells him "Look, the police have a complete report. You were seen with Kahane at a Japanese bar. Why are you denying this?" and Mill admits "I didn't kill him, Walter. I did meet him. I know I said I didn't but I did" . Walter then asks "Why did you lie to me?" and Mill tells him "Its not a good time, Walter. You heard the rumors. I'm on my way out. That's all I need, a little more controversy!". 

Walter then says to Mill ""Look, I am in charge of security in every definition of the word. Its up to me to keep this very, very, very QUIET! Do you wanna help?" and Mill says "Of course" and Walter angrily says "Then stop lying! How many meetings did you have with this guy?" and Mill says "Just one" and Walter asks "Not counting last night?" and Mill says "Not counting last night".Walter continues to press Mill who anxiously says "For Christ's sake, Walter! What is this?" and Walter says "Its called the 3rd degree and if you don't like then wait until the police start asking questions!" and Mill angrily says "I'm going to the police right now and you come with me! You come with me!!". Walter then says "You sound like someone who's guilty! You're not guilty are you?" and Mill says "For the last time, I'm not a murderer!". However then a fax comes through, which is the from the mysterious writer and Walter asks "Is it bad news? The fax?" and Mill takes it and puts it in his jacket and says "No, business as usual".

Whoopi Goldberg is also pretty good in her role as Detective Avery, who investigates Kahane's murder and suspects Mill is responsible but has no definitive proof but brings him in for questioning. 

And Whoopi has some good scenes that include the one where Avery meets with Kahane at the studio and she asks him some questions about his meeting with Kahane. So, in the scene Avery asks about Mil and Kahane's meeting "Why did you not leave together?" and Mill tells her "Well, because I was so taken by the scene in the bar after David left, and then after that, it was just the bar and I don't drink" and Avery says "You drank with him?" and Mill smiles and says "Well, when in Rome". Avery then asks "Did you meet with him before?" and Mill says "No" and she asks "Did you know his girlfriend?" and Mill says "No". And then Walter interrupts and says "OK, let's get back to it" and Mill asks her "Something is bothering you, what is it?". And Avery says what her concerns are and asks about where he parked and  Mill says to her "I park on the street. I feel safer there" and Avery asks "You mean if you drove a shitty car, you would park in a parking lot?" and Mill says "If I drove a shitty car, I'd be a dead man" and Avery says "Somehow I think you are too lucky for that. Thank you" and leaves.

Then there is the scene where Mill meets with Avery at the police station to look at some mug shots and she gets a bit personal over his relationship with June. So, in the scene Mill tells Avery "Well, we spoke on the phone that night and at the funeral I met with her again and then one thing lead to another". Avery then bluntly asks "You fuck her?" and Mill taken aback asks "What kind of question is that?!" and Avery says "I think it was pretty direct. Did you fuck her?" and Mill tells her "Well, I don't think I would answer that question without a lawyer in the room and then, I don't think I'd even answer that question". Mill then looks over to DeLongpre who has been following Mill alot and says "Why don't you ask him? He's been following me everywhere the last few deaths". Avery then asks DeLongpre "Paul, did you see Mr Mil fuck June Hoomphumter?" and DeLongpre says "I didn't see them" and she says to Mill "There ya go. You see? You got away with it!" and Mill angrily asks "What do you mean?" and Avery says "Well excuse me but I think its a bit early for her to be gallivanting on the streets with you!". And as Mill becomes angry at Avery's questions he says "What is this fucking Iran?" and as he carries on all the officer laughs including Avery and he shouts "What the fuck are you laughing at???!" and Avery between laughter says "Nothing its just...!" and she carries on laughing. 

And last of all is the scene where Mill is taken to a line-up as the police have a witness to the murder but the witness in question struggles to identify Mill as the suspect. And in the scene she ends up picking out DeLongpre, who is in the line-up (God knows why though!) and she says "That's him! I swear to God!" and Avery sighs and says "Yes, I would say that's right" and after she asks the witness "Can I ask you a personal question? Where the fuck is your mother buried?!" and everyone (except the witness) laughs. 

Cynthia Stevenson is also very good as Bonnie Sherow, Mill's girlfriend who also works as a story editor at the studio and he character is one of the sympathetic ones in the film as she ends up ultimately getting ditched by Mill. 

And Cynthia has two scenes I will mention starting with the one where Bonnie confronts Mill over his strange behavior after Mill let's Larry Levy have the Habeus Corpus project he brought to the studio and since Kahane's death (which of course he kept from her). Mill also suggests that Bonnie go and check out a project involving the writer Tom Wolfe.

So, in the scene Bonnie asks Mill "What the hell is going on? Why did you give that project to Levy?" and Mill awkwardly tells her "I just think he had a good grip on the project that's all" and Bonnie says "The only good grip he has on anything is his dick and you know it!". Bonnie then asks him "What is going on with you? You're stringing me along like one of your goddamn writers!" and Mill says "Nothing is going on" and Bonnie says "You're not even looking me in the eye, Griffin!" and she asks him "Tell me, is there someone else?" and Mill at last looks at her and says "No." and he kisses her and says "Have a good trip". 

And last of all is the scene near the end where the film Habeus Corpus is having a private screening with the exces and it has been changed to have a happy Hollywood ending much to Bonnie's disbelief. So, in the scene Bonnie says "What happened to original ending? How could you let him sell you out? What about reality? Truth?" and the film's writer, Tom tells Bonnie "What about the way the old ending tested in Canoga Park? Everybody hated it. We re-shot it, now everybody loves it. THAT'S reality!". And the other writer connected with the project asks Levy "Larry who is this person?" and Levy says to her "Goddamn it, Bonnie this is a hit! THIS is what we are here for" and Bonnie protests "But what about truth?" and Levy says "I want you out of here". Bonnie asks "What?" and Levy says "Bonnie, you're fired" and Bonnie angrily says "Fuck you!" and she storms out. 

Peter Gallagher is excellent also in his role as Larry Levy, the suave executive, who threatens Mill's position at the studio. 

And Gallagher's notable scenes include the one where Mill  has a pitch setup with the two writers of Habeas Corpus for Levy, who is out driving his car. So, after the pitch, Mill takes it off the speaker phone and Mill asks him "What do you think?" and Levy says "Yeah its quite a story but what's this bullshit about no stars?!" and Mill tells him "This will remind Levison of his youth. You know what he used to say? No stars, only talent". Levy then says "OK, well why don't we meet with Levison?" and Mill asks him "What time?" and Levy says "I'll be there right after my AA meeting" and Mill smiles and says "Oh, Larry I didn't realise you had a drinking problem?" and Levy says "Well, I don't but that's where all the deals are made these days. I'll see you!". 

Then there is the scene where Levy pitches Habeas Corpus to the studio head, Levison and he finishes the pitch by describing the end "The DA races to the penitentiary into the gas chamber but its too late, the gas pellets have already been dropped, she's dead. He failed to protect the woman he loved, the end". Levison bemused asks "That's it? Its depressing, it will bring everybody down" and Levy says "Joel, come on, how about Terms of Endearment? Steel Magnolias? ET grossed over 100 million and there wasn't a dry eye in the house!". Levison then asks "Do they screw? The DA and the woman, do they screw? If I'm gonna be looking at jail cells and gas chambers, there's gotta be at least some sex in here" and Levy says "Oh, yeah we'll work it in there". 

And last of all is the scene where Habeas Corpus's private screening with the execs shows the slapped on happy ending and Bonnie afterward protests. And Bonnie says "What about truth?" and Levy frustrated says "Goddamn it, Bonnie. This is a hit! This is what we're her for" and Bonnie disagrees and Levy says "I want you out of here" and the other writer, Andy says "Good thinkin, Larry". Bonnie then angrily says "Fuck you!" and walks out and Levy says "Oh, its takes more to make in this business than just a dirty mouth". 

Richard E Grant is great in his role as the script writer, Tom, who pitches Habeas Corpus to Mill and Levy, which is eventually made into a film, however its not quite as Tom originally realised. 

So, I will mention the scene where Tom first pitches his script to Mill and he finishes it by saying to Mill "The DA races to the penitentiary but its too late, the gas pellets have been dropped, she's dead. I tell you, there isn't a dry eye in the house!"" and Mill asks "She's dead?" and Tom says "She's dead because that happens. That's reality". And Mill asks "Who's the DA?" and Tom says "Ah, no one!" and Mill asks "No one?" and Tom says "No stars. We're going out on a limb on this one" and Mill baffled asks "Why???" and Tom says "Because this story is too damn important to be ruined by personality. If I'm being perfectly honest, this isn't even an American film". Mill then says its an interesting idea and to drop by the studio tomorrow and as he goes, Tom shouts after him "Remember no stars! She has to die, no fucking Hollywood ending!" and the other writer Andy says "Tom say thank you!" and Tom hugs him. 

And last of all is the scene near the end where Habeas Corpus has its private exec screening and we see it now has a slapped on happy Hollywood ending much to Bonnie's surprise and disappointment. And Bonnie asks Tom "How could you let him sell you out? What about truth? What about reality?" and Tom says to her "What about the way the old ending tested in Canoga park? Everybody hated it. We re-shot, now everybody loves it. THAT'S reality!". 

Brion James is also pretty good in his role as Joel Levison, the studio head, who brings in Larry Levy but also brings his nephew to the studio, who is out looking for some ladies, which ends up having bad consequences for Levison. 

And there are two scenes I will mention for James and the first is the one where Mill meets with Levison privately as Mill throws down the ultimatum that he won't work for Levy. So, in the scene Mill says to Levison "I will not work for Larry Levy" and Levison says "I'm not asking you to" and Mill says "I report to you. If I report to Larry Levy, I quit" and Levison surprised says "Can't quit. I won't let you quit. You have a year and a half left on your contract and I will sue you if don't show up in the office every day. With a smile". Mill then asks "Why Levy?" and Levison says "Levy was available. He's good on material. You're good with writers. He's a new team member, that's all. He can make us all look good". Levison asks Mill "Well?" and Mill says "I'll have to think about it" and Levison "I want your answer by this afternoon" and Mill leaves and says as he goes "I'll get back to you". 

And then there is the scene where Levy pitches Habeas Corpus to Levison and describes the downbeat ending and Levy says "That's it? That's depressing. It will bring everybody down". However Levy insists there have been other Hollywood films with downbeat endings and they did well at the box office. Levy then asks about the film "Do they screw?" and Levy asks "What?" and Levison asks "The DA and girl, do they screw? If I am gonna be looking at jail cells and gas chambers, I'm gonna want to at least some sex here" and Levy says "Oh sure, well work it in". 

Lyle Lovett also does pretty well in his role as Detective DeLongpre, the somewhat eccentric police officer, who spies on Mill a lot until his eventually introduces himself as a cop. 

And I will mention two of his scenes with the first being the one where DeLongpre stops Mill as he drives out of his house and holds his badge up. And Delongpre says to Mill "Mr Mill, I'm Detective DeLongpre, Pasadena police". And Mill refers to a party he spotted DeLongpre at the night before and Mill says "Yes, I recognise you. Did you have a good time at the party last night?" and DeLongpre tells him "No. I'm not supposed to have a good time when I am on duty. I would like you to come with me" and Mill asks "Where?" and DeLongpre says "To the station, to look at some pictures" and Mill asks "pictures?" and DeLongpre says "Mug shots. You know, like in the movies". Mill then says "Alright" and DeLongpre "Will you follow me, sir. And fasten your seat belt please?". 

Then there is the following scene where Avery at the station asks DeLongpre "Paul, what was that film you saw last night?" and DeLongpre says "Freaks" and Avery asks Mill "You know that one?" and Mill smiles and says "Todd Browning, yes its a classic". And DeLongpre quotes from the film "One of us, one of us, one of us!". 

And last of all is Vincent D'Onofrio who is great as David Kahane, a disgruntled writer, who Mill ends up unwittingly killing in the back of a parking lot after they have a heated argument.

And there are two notable scenes with D'Onofrio starting with the one where Kahane and Mill talk in a Japanese bar and Kahane shares his experiences of living in Tokyo for a year as a student. 

And in the scene Kahane says "I think about it a lot" and Mill says "You should have wrote about it" and Kahane says "I did. That was my pitch remember?" and Mill says "Of course I remember" and Kahane bitterly says "You didn't get back to me". Mill says "Listen, I was an asshole, it comes with the job. I wanna make you a deal, David. I'm not saying I'm gonna make your movie but I am gonna give you a shot. What do you say? Friends?" and he offers his hand. However Kahane angrily says "Fuck you, Mill! You lied to me. You didn't come to see the Bicycle Thief, you came in 5 minutes before the picture ended. You almost tripped over my feet! You're on my list, pal. Nothing's gonna change that!" and he get's up and makes to leave and says "See you in the next reel, asshole!" and walks out.

And then there is following scene where Mill and Kahane argue with another in the parking lot of the bar and the scene begins with Kahane taking a piss in the alley behind the bar and we see Mill go to his land rover on the street. So, Kahane looks up and says to him "That's a nice boat you got there, movie exec? Its David the writer. You still want my story?" and Mill says "I told you, you stop by the studio tomorrow and we'll work something out" and Kahane says "And who do I ask for? Larry Levy?" and he walks off leaving Mill agitated. 

Mill then follows him and asks "What do you know about Larry Levy??" and Kahane says "Don't you read the trades? The New York times? He's on his way in, you're on your way out. He can't make a deal, yesterday's new. That's what they say!". Kahane then says to Mill "Can I borrow your mobile phone?" and he pretends to swipe Mill's phone and speak to Levy "Larry Levy? Yeah, David Kahane here. Guess who is making promises to writers to get pictures made in parking lots?! Guess which dumb son of a bitch is trying to take advantage of me?!". Kahane then turns to Mill and shouts at him "I can't wait to tell the world that when Griffin Mill can't cut the pressure at work, he makes movie deals in parking lots to WRITERS!!". 

Mill the desperately follows Kahane and says "Look just stop with the postcards!" and Kahane yells at him "I DON'T WRITE POSTCARDS! I WRITE SCRIPTS!!" and Mill shouts back "You're wrong OK?!". Kahane then yells back "No, YOU'RE WRONG BUDDY! You're in over your head that's why you're losing your job. And then what are you gonna do?! I can write! What can you do?!". Kahane the goes to get in his car and Mill puts his hand on driver window and says "I said let's forget this!" and Kahane pushes the car door back sending Mill flying off into a ramp below. Kahane then realising what he's done says to himself "Shit!" and he jumps down to help Mill up and asks "Mill, are you OK? You alright?". However Mill then violently grabs Kahane and slams him face down into a shallow pool of water and yells "KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!!" three times as he dunks Kahane's face in the puddle three times and the holds it down for a while before letting him go but by then its too late and Kahane is already dead. Dun dun! 

DIRECTOR 

As for the director, Robert Altman does a terrific job with the film and he paces it brilliantly throughout and it rarely ever lags. Altman also deploys his usual techniques such as using overlapping dialogue between different actors, such an example is when Mill meets with Levison and we see Burt Reynolds take with someone. The opening sequence is also brilliantly done as it was done in one continuous take with cuts and lasts about seven minutes. Altman also expertly balances the star studded cameos alongside Mill's own melodrama throughout. So, in all this is definitely one of Altman's best films.

MUSIC

As for the music score it was by Thomas Newman and its a terrific score overall that largely features a mix of his signature piano pieces and synthesizers and its very atmospheric throughout. It also features an orchestral piece, which isn't used until the end of the film and its also great and acts like a showpiece for his future films such as The Shawshank Redemption. So, overall this is a very impressive score even if the synthy parts of does make it sound a little dated and of its time in the early 90's.

FLAWS 

As for flaws, yes The Player does have some although they aren't too bad. 

For starters, I think the whole idea of the writer that stalks Griffin is a bit silly in places and you think why didn't Mill change his fax number, so he wouldn't get harassing emails from him or why don't they install security video cameras on the grounds to record the guy the writer to somehow try and ID him. Its also a bit bizarre that the writer would get away with basically pitching what happened to Mill as a movie and it doesn't even seem to bother Mill either as he's up for the idea! Perhaps though if he said no then he knew that the writer could blackmail him as a result, so he decided to go with it. 

Further also to the writer stalking Mill, it makes you wonder just how did he get into Mill's car to leave the rattlesnake in the box? I mean did he use a lockpick to break into it or did Mill leave his car unlocked?? It just seems a bit bizarre that this guy could Ninja his way around the film without being spotted by anyone! However in the scene where a valet drives off Mill's car to park it, there is a chance that maybe the valet WAS the writer but who knows?

I also felt that the film has very few or no sympathetic characters in it with the exception of June and Bonnie, who are both manipulated in different ways by Mill himself. And Mill himself is a largely unlikable protagonist as he is essentially more the villain as his literally get's away with murder and shafts his ex-girlfriend, Bonnie so he can be with Kahane's girlfriend and when Bonnie is fired at the end by Levy, he doesn't care or bat an eyelid over it. So, yeah Mill definitely is unlikable asshole of a character although maybe that is the point to show Hollywood execs as being somewhat cold and unfeeling.

Its also a bit daft how in the scene that June didn't realise that Kahane's story wasn't made into a picture when Mill explains that his studio can only green light 12 movies a year as surely Kahane would have explained to her already his script wasn't accepted. So, its either Kahane kept it to himself or June is so disconnected from Kahane's world that she didn't really care to ask although she did describe Mill's nickname as "the dead man" suggesting Kahane did at least tell her about his story not being picked. 

And last of all, I also wondered just why the hell is the Detective, DeLongpre included in the line-up scene along with Mill? I mean he's a cop for God's sake! He had nothing to do with the murder and he wasn't even at the scene of the crime when it happened! So, yeah I found it a bit baffling as to why they would include him in the line-up as that is definitely one of the scenes that didn't make any sense. 

SUM UP 

So, to sum up, The Player is an excellent satire on Hollywood and the film studio process and its features a great cast with top performances from Tim Robbins, Greta Sacchi, Vincent D'Onofrio as well as some funny ones by Richard E Grant and Whoopi Goldberg. The film also makes good use of its many cameos from famous Hollywood actors and the film features a terrific score by Thomas Newman aswell. And there are some minor flaws with its plot but that aside, this is still a funny and compelling satire and its well worth taking a look at if you haven't seen it yet.

And I will rate The Player:

9 out of 10.

So, that's it for now and I will be back soon with another post. 

Until the next one, its bye for now! 

The Shawshank Redemption Review "Everybody's innocent in here!"

 

 

 

 

 

Well, as the Easter weekend is closing (at the time of typing this that is!) I figured its time for another post and this one will be another revisit of quite an old one, which is a review of the modern classic prison drama, The Shawshank Redemption.

So, after almost 30 years, let's see how this film still fairs...

And the usual warning is coming up...

PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

STORY  

The film begins in 1947 with Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a banker who is convicted of murdering his wife, who had an affair with a man, and is sent to Shawshank prison for two consecutive life sentences.  In prison Andy finds it tough to adapt, however he soon befriends one of the inamtes, Ellis Boyd Redding, nicknamed "Red" (Morgan Freeman) who is the man "who can get things" from the outside for other prisoners.  However Andy is forced to fight against the brutal inmates called "The Sisters", lead by Bogs (Mark Rolston), who try to gang-rape or beat him up any chance they get.  This harrowing routines carries on for Andy for the next two years. 

However in the spring of 1949, the prison warden, Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton) orders the roof of the prison to be re-tarred, which allows a number of the prisoners to volunteer for the job, including Andy and Red.  Whilst during the job, Andy listens in on a conversation between the head of the guards, the brutal Byron Hadley (Clancy Brown) who talks about some money he has been left by his dead brother, but is annoyed at the government taxing it.  Andy at the risk of his life offers Byron a way to get around this financial woe, who initially is reluctant to accept his service, but relents (and let's Andy live after nearly throwing him off the roof!).  

Soon after this Andy is attacked again by the Sisters, who very nearly beat him to death, as a result Bogs is sent to the hole for a week. However once Bogs gets out, Byron is awaiting him in his cell, and beats the hell out of Bogs, leaving him disabled for the rest of his life in a wheelchair, which sees Andy's harrowing experience of the Sisters come to a permanent end.

Once Andy gets out of the infirmary he is soon approached by Norton, who assigns him to the prison library to help out one of the prison old timers, Hatlen Brooks (James Whitmore) who does his rounds delivering books to the inmates.  Andy is also approached by one of the guards who asks him to set up a trust fund for his kids, and soon after this Andy starts to do the tax returns for all the guards at the prison as well as Norton's.  

In the meantime Brooks receives his parole to get out of prison, however on the outside he struggles to adjust to life in the world, after 50 years in prison, he hangs himself, however before he does he writes a letter he sends back to his prison mates, on reading the letter, Red sadly says "he should have died in here".  After this Andy writes letter to the Government request funds to improve the decrepit library, who send him old books and sundry items, including records, one of which Andy finds is the Marriage of Figaro, which he puts on in Norton's office over the public speaker system, which pisses off Norton, who puts Andy in solitary confinement for two weeks. 

After Andy is released he is soon involved in processing the profits of Norton's scams in using the prisoners in manual labour work, in which he makes a whole lot of money, and he has Andy launder the money, which he does under the alias of "Randall Stevens", so the IRS don't trace it back to him.  As the years move on, in 1965, a young man, Tommy (Gil Bellows) is sent to Shawshank prison after a B & E charge (breaking and entering) and soon befriends the others.  

Tommy also seeks Andy's help in getting his high school qualifications, as he dropped out of school, who helps him in doing so.  However after taking his exam, Tommy feels frustrated and scrunches up his exam paper and throws it in the bin, regardless, Andy retrieves it from the bin and posts it (we later find out that Tommy passed his exams).  Tommy more importantly on hearing how Andy ended up in jail, is compelled to tell them that he knew a man in a previous stretch he did in another prison, who boasted that he broke into a home and killed a golf pro and a woman while they were having sex (this reflects Andy's circumstances as his wife was having an affair with a golf pro).  

On hearing this Andy goes to Norton and tells him the story, who refuses to accept the story, who obviously doesn't want him to leave the prison since he is making money off Andy, and instead sends him to the hole for a month.  While Andy is in solitary confinement, Norton speaks to Tommy outside the prison compound and asks him if he is willing to testify his story in court, to which Tommy agrees.  Norton then looks up and walks away as we see Bryon from above shoot Tommy dead with a rifle.  With Andy still in confinement, Norton tells him of Tommy's death (playing it down as if Tommy tried to escape), and he insists that he will carry on helping him with his scams or he will do the hardest time there is, and he gives Andy another month in the hole "to think about it".

Once Andy gets out of confinement, he speaks to Red and says that he wishes for the dream of reaching a Mexican town on the pacific coast, Ziuhatanejo, and if Red ever get's out he is to try and locate a hayfield up in Buxton where they will be something for him.  Red, clearly worried by how Andy is talking, has a sleepless night in his cell, and in the morning, the guards are stunned to find that Andy is missing from his cell.  Norton angrily questions Red to see if he knows anything, which Red says he has no idea where Andy is.  Norton then throws a small rock that goes right through Andy's poster of Raquel Welch, which Norton rips off to find a big hole in the wall confirming that Andy has escaped.

And this leads into the film's dramatic climax as we find out the circumstances of Andy's escape and what lies ahead for the warden and also Red...

THOUGHTS

There is no doubt that the Shawshank Redemption is terrific film and after being an initial box office disappointment on its release, its reputation grew over time and became one of the most loved and acclaimed films of all time. And its the characters in Shawshank that make the film and they are  universally well drawn out and the inmates for the most part are almost quite endearing, especially as Red, and his other friends welcome Andy.  But it is of course Andy and Red's friendship that is very much at the heart of the film, as the two men become close friends on the inside, and at the end Andy gives Red hope in the prospect of a life outside prison.

PERFORMANCES AND NOTABLE SCENES (Warning: this section may contain spoilers and strong language!) 

Performance wise there is little to fault here as the cast are all on top form.

Starting with Tim Robbins is terrific as Andy, as he plays him with a quiet sense of self confidence as well as a sense of determination to get through his sentence, and as Red at one point says to "crawl to freedom through a river of shit to reach the other side".  

And Tim has plenty of highlights such as the scene where Andy first talks with Red in the prison yard and asks him for a rock hammer to polish rocks with.

So, in the scene Andy says to Red "I understand your man who knows how to get things" and Red says "I've been known how to get things from time to time". Andy then asks "I wonder if you could get me a rock hammer" and Red asks "What is it? And why?" and Andy says "A rock hammer is about six or seven inches long looks like a miniature pick axe". Red asks "Pickaxe?" and Andy says "For rocks. I'm a rock hound or at least I used to be in my old life, I'd like to be again on a limited basis". Red then asks hammer "I guess you want to escape, tunnel under the wall maybe" but Andy just laughs and Red asks "What's so funny?" and Andy says "You'll understand when you see the rock hammer". 

Then there is of course the great scene where Andy takes a big risk and approaches Hadley as he complains about his tax inheritance and getting taxed by the IRS and Andy offers his financial advice for Hadley to keep it all.

So, in the scene Andy approaches Hadley and says "Mr Hadley, do you trust your wife?" and Hadley takes out his baton and walks up to him and says "Oh, that's funny! You're gonna look even funnier suckin my dick with no teeth!". Andy explains himself a bit more "What I mean is do you think she'll go behind your back and hamstring you?" and Hadley says "That's enough! Stand aside this fucker is about to have himself an accident!". So Hadley grabs Andy and pushes to  the edge of the roof and Andy anxiously shouts "Because if you do trust there's no reason you can't keep that 35000!!" and Hadley stops just short of the edge and says "35000?" and Andy says "All of it!" and Hadley asks "Tax free!" and Andy says "Every penny of it!". 

Hadley then says "You better start making sense!" and Andy says "If you want to keep that money, give it your wife. The IRS allows one time gift to your spouse up to $60,000" but Hadley is sceptical and says "Bullshit! Tax free?" and Andy says "Tax free, the IRS can't touch one cent!". Hadley then recognises how Andy is as an inmate "You're that smart wife killing banker aren't ya?! What you want me to end up in here with ya?!". Andy however tells Hadley "Its perfectly legal, you can ask the IRS yourself. In fact I feel a bit silly telling you this" and Hadley says "Fuckin A! I don't need no smart wife killing banker to tell where the bear shit the buck wheats!". Andy says "I could take care of it for you, my only price is three beers a piece for my co-workers. Man feels more like a man if he has a bottle of suds, only in my opinion, sir". Hadley then stares at Andy for a moment and slowly let's him go.

Then there is the great scene where Andy tells Red about his alias Randall Stevens that he made up to cover his and the warden's tracks with the warden's money making scams. So, as Red says to Andy "But all that paper has a trail and has got to lead to somewhere" and Andy smiles and says "It does but not to me or the warden". Red intrigued asks "Well who?" and Andy says "Randall Stevens. He's the guilty man your honor, the man with the bank accounts". Red asks "Who is he?" and Andy says "I conjured out of thin air. He doesn't exist except on paper" and Red shocked says "Andy! You can't just make a person up!". However Andy says "Sure you can, if you know where the cracks are. Mr Stevens has a bank account, social security number. If they chase him up they will just be chasing a figment of my imagination".  Red impressed says "Shit! Did I say you were good. You're a Rembrandt!" and ANdy smiles and says "You know on the outside, I was an honest man, straight as an arrow. I had to go to prison to become a crook" and Red laughs.  

Then there is the scene where Tommy tells a story about how he was caught stealing a TV set and Andy essentially puts him down for being a lousy thief. So, Andy says to Tommy "Maybe you should think about another profession. I mean you're not a very good thief" and Tommy says "Yeah, well what the hell do you know about it, Capone?! What are you in for?" and Andy says "Me? Lawyer fucked me. Everybody is innocent in here, didn't you know that?" and everyone at the table laughs.

Another good scene is when Tommy comes into the library and asks Andy if he can help him get his high school diploma. So, Tommy says to Andy "I heard you helped a few fellas get their high school diploma" and Andy dismissively says "I don't waste time with losers, Tommy" and Tommy annoyed says "I ain't no goddamn loser". Andy asks "You mean?" and Tommy says "Yeah" and Andy asks "You REALLY mean that?" and Tommy says "Yes, sir. I do" and Andy says "Good, because if we do this, we do it all the way, nothing half assed". Tommy awkwardly tells Andy "Only thing is I don't read so good" and Andy corrects Tommy "Well. You don't read so "well" and realizing that Tommy doesn't get him, he smiles a little and says "We'll get to that".

And then there is the memorable scene where Andy after having suffered two months of solitary confinement, finally comes out as a changed man and speaks with Red about his future and dream to live in Mexico. 

So, in the scene Andy says to Red "I know where I'd like to go...Zihuatanejo. Its a small resort off the Pacific coast. You know what they say about the pacific? That it has no memory. That's where I want to live, a warm place with no memory". Andy then says "When I get there, I'd like to set up a business, take guests on a tour. I could do with a man who knows how to get things". Red however says if he ever got out, he wouldn't know where to begin and that the Pacific ocean scares him as does the outside world. Andy determined however says "Not me. I didn't shoot my wife or her lover and whatever mistakes I've made since, I've paid for them and then some. That island, that boat, I don't think that's too much to ask for". Red however tells Andy "These are just shitty pipe dreams. Mexico is way down there and you're way up in here" and Andy says "Yeah! That's right! Its down there and I'm in here! It guess it comes down to a simple choice. Get busy living or get busy dying!".  

And last of all is the scene where Red finds the box that Andy buried for him in a hayfield in Buxton, Maine and he opens to find a letter and an envelope with money inside it. So Red takes out the letter and reads from it and we hear Andy for once narrate instead "Dear Red, if you are reading this then you got out. And if you are willing to come this far, maybe you are willing to come a little further. You remember the name of the town, don't you?" and Red says to himself with a smile "Ziuhatanejo". Andy continues to narrate "I could use a good man to help me get my project on wheels. I'll keep an eye out for you and the chessboard ready. Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. I will be hoping that this letter finds you, and finds you well. Your friend. Andy". 

Morgan Freeman is also simply superb as Red, who despite his crime, once as a young man, who committed murder, now lives in regret, and he is basically a decent man who once did a bad thing.  

And Morgan has plenty of great scenes and also as he does the voice over for the film as Red, he also gets plenty of great dialogue to deliver off-screen too. 

And to start off, there is the scene where Andy has his first night in prison and the other inmates try and reel in someone who will break down in tears and Red placed his bet on Andy. And in the scene Red narrates "The first night is the toughest, no doubt about it. They march you in there naked as the day you were born, skin still burning and blind from the delousing shit they throw at you. But when you step inside that cell and the bars close, you know its for real". And after the new cellmates are locked into their cells, the other inmates start taunting the new ones and Red narrates "The boys always go fishing with first timers to see who will break down. Someone always does, its a sure a thing to bet on as anything. My money was on Andy Dufrense". However after one of the other inmates breaks down crying instead, Hadley enters on hearing the commotion and brutally beats him up and Red narrates after "Andy's first night in the cells cost me two packs of cigarettes. He never made a sound!". 

Then there is the great scene where Andy and Red first talk to each other in the prison yard and Andy asks for Red to get him a rock hammer and they agree a price but Red also warns him of the Sisters, the bull queer gang that is interested in Andy. So, Red says to Andy "The Sisters have taken quite a liking to you" and Andy says to him "I wonder if it would help any if I explain to them I'm not homosexual" and Red says "Neither are they. You have to be human first, they don't qualify. Bull queers take by force, that's all they want or understand. If I were you I'd grow eyes in the back of my head". Andy then as they close their chat says "Thank you...." and Red says "Red, my name is Red" and Andy asks "Why do they call you that?" and Red smiles and says "Maybe because I'm Irish". Red then narrates afterward "I could see why some of the boys took him as snobby. He had a quiet way about him, a walk and talk that wasn't normal around here. Like he had some kind of cloak that would shield him from this place. Yeah I think its safe to say, I liked Andy from the start". 

Another scene is where Red narrates over Andy playing the Mozart record over the speaker system of the prison and all the prisoners stop what they are doing and look up. And Red says "To this day, I still have no idea what those two Italian ladies are singing about and to tell you the truth, I don't want to. I'd like to think it was about something so beautiful it can't put into words and your heart aches because of it and for the briefest of moments every last man at Shawshank felt free". Then we see the warden, Norton appear outside his office window and he taps the window and warns Andy to turn it off, who ignores him temporarily but then he turns it up and Hadley smashes the door window open and enters. So, Red narrates "It pissed the warden off something awful. Andy got two weeks in the hole for that little stunt". 

Then there is the scene where Red watches a Rita Hayworth movie with the other inmates and Andy enters and sits behind him and asks "I understand your a man who knows how to get things" and Red says like he did earlier in the film "Yeah, I've been known to locate things from time to time. What do you want?" and Andy says "Rita Hayworth". Red a little surprised says "Rita Hayworth?" and Andy asks "Can you get her?" and after a pause Red says "Could take a few weeks" and Andy says "A few weeks" and Red "Well yeah, Andy. I don't have her stuffed down the front of my pants right now, I'm sorry to say but relax! I'll get her". 

And then there is the great scene where Red talks with Andy who is in a grim mood after his two months stint in the hole and he talks about living in a town in Mexico. And in the scene Andy asks Red "Do you think you'll ever get out of here" and Red says "Yeah...one day when I have a big white beard and two or three marbles rolling around upstairs, they'll let me out". And as Andy becomes more desperate in his tone for his dream of living in Mexico to come true, Red says to him "I don't think you should be doing this to yourself, Andy. This is just shitty pipe dreams. I mean Mexico is all the way down there and you're in here and that's how it is!".

And lastly there is the narration where Red talks of the scene where Norton commits suicide and the aftermath of Andy's escape and receiving a postcard from him and missing Andy. And in the first scene, I'll start by mentioning the moment where the police show up to arrest Hadley and Norton for murder and corruption. So, as Hadley is taken away, Red narrates "I wasn't there to see but I heard Hadley sobbed like a little girl when they took him away. But the warden had no intention of going that quietly". And then we see the warden, Norton, take out a gun and load it and then point the gun under his chin and pull the trigger and cut to him lying back dead in his chair. And Red narrates "I'd like to think the last thing that went through his head, other than that bullet is how the hell did Andy ever get the best of him". 

And in the second scene Red receives his postcard and narrates "One day I got a postcard through the mail but it had no name on it except it was addressed as Fort Hancock, Texas. Andy Dufresne the man that crawled out of a river of shit and come out clean on the other side". And we then cut to a scene of Andy driving his car along the pacific coast "When I think of Andy driving his car along the coast with the hood down, it always makes me laugh". Red then laments over Andy's escape and says "Sometimes it makes me sad, though... Andy being gone. I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up DOES rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend". 

And as an additional last scene there is of course the great one where Red finally tells the truth of how he feels during his parole hearing near the end of the film. 

So as the parole admin officer asks him "Do you feel rehabilitated?" Red says "Rehabilitated? Hmm, now you see I have no idea what that means". And the officer says "It means you are ready to rejoin society..." and Red interrupts and says "I know what you think it means, Sonny! To me its just a made up word. What do you really wanna know? Am I sorry for what I did?" and the officer asks "Are you?" and Red sincerely says "There's not a day goes by I don't feel regret. I see myself the way I was then, that young stupid kid that committed that terrible crime. I want to talk to him and talk some sense to him, tell how the way things are. But I can't. That kid's long gone and this old man is all that's left. So, just go ahead, Sonny and stamp your form and stop wasting my time because to tell you truth, I don't give a shit!" and the officer quietly makes a note on his paperwork as Red patiently waits.

Bob Gunton next does a great job as the corrupt warden, Norton, who eventually ropes Andy into his money making scams and keeping the books. 

And I will mention a few of Bob's scene such as his first one where Andy and the other new prisoners arrived at Shawshank and Norton addresses them alongside Hadley. And Norton says "I have one rule, no blasphemy. I will not have the lord's name taken in vein in my prison, other rules you will learn as you go. Are there any questions?". And one prisoner asks "When do we eat?" and Norton looks over to Hadley who approaches the man and bluntly tells he eats when they say he does and hits him in the guy with his baton. Norton then says to the men "I believe in two things: discipline and the Bible. Here you will receive both. Put your trust in the lord, your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank".  

Then there is the scene where Andy having been told the story of Elmo Blatch, the real killer behind his wife's murder by Tommy, he approaches Norton who dismisses it in an effort to keep him where he is. So, Norton says "I have to say that's most extraordinary story I've ever heard and what's more extraordinary is that you were taken in by it". As Andy tries to explain that Tommy is telling the truth and there must be a chance that Blatch could be tracked down Norton refuses to listen. Andy then asks him "How can you be so obtuse?" and Norton annoyed asks "What did you call me?" and Andy says "Obtuse, is it deliberate?" and Norton warns Andy "Son, you are forgetting yourself". 

Andy then says "Sir, I won't say anything about what goes on in here, I'd just be an indictable as you for laundering that money". However at this point Warden furiously stands and tells Andy "Don't you ever mention money to me again, you sorry son of a bitch! Not in this place, not EVER!!" and he hits the buzzer and shouts "Get in here!". Hadley then comes in and Norton says "Solitary a month!" and Andy shocked says "What's the matter with you?! This is my chance to get out! ITS MY LIFE!!" and Norton shouts after him as Andy is dragged out "Get him out!! GET HIM OUT!!".

Then there is the great scene where Norton meets with Tommy in private outside and Norton says to Tommy "I need your help, son. If I'm to move on this, there can't be a single shred of doubt. I have to know that everything you told Dufresne is the truth" and Tommy says "Yes, sir. Absolutely!". Norton then asks "Would you be willing to swear before a judge and jury and put your hand on the good book and swear to God almighty himself?" and Tommy says "Just give me that chance" and Norton after a moment smiles and says "That's what I thought" and he pats Tommy on the shoulder and puts out his cigarette. However, Norton then looks up above and Tommy turns around to see Hadley above shoot him dead with a rifle. 

And then there is another great scene where Norton speaks to Andy after Tommy's murder, who at this stage is still in solitary confinement. So, Norton says to Andy "Terrible thing, man had less than a year to go, he tried to escape. It brook Hadley's hear to shoot him". Andy however sees through this and says "Everything stops! Get someone else to run your scams!" and Norton gives Andy an intense look and kneels down next to Andy and says "Nothing stops! Nothing! Or you will do the hardest time there is. I'll take you out of that one bunk Hilton and cast you down with the sodomites. You'll think you've been fucked by a train! And the library...gone! Brick by brick. We'll have a little book barbecue outside, you'll see the flames for miles, we'll dance around like wild Injuns. You catch my drift? Or am I being obtuse?". And Norton stands goes back out and says to Hadley outside "Give him another month to think about it" and Hadley with a grin shuts the door on Andy.

And last of all is the scene where we see Andy has escaped from his cell but there is no sign of how he escaped and Norton furiously asks his men what happened and he questions Red also on where Andy went. 

So, in the scene Norton angrily tells one of his guards, Haig "I want him found! Not tomorrow, not after breakfast! NOW!!". Norton then orders Red to be brought into Andy's cell and Norton asks him "Well?" and Red asks "Well what?" and Norton says "I see you two all the time together, you're thick as thieves you are! He must have said something" and Red says "No sir, warden. Not a word" and Norton gives a forced smiles and says "Lord, its a miracle! Man up and vanished like a fart in the wind! Nothing left but some damn rocks on the windowsill. And that cupcake on the wall" and he looks to Andy's post of the Racquel Welch and he says sarcastically "Last ask her. What do you say there fussy britches? Feel like talking?! I guess not". Norton then finally snaps and says "This is a conspiracy! One big damn conspiracy!" and he starts hurling small rocks at his men and he shouts "And EVERYONE is in on it!" and he looks angrily at the poster and says "Including her!" and he throws a rock which goes right through the picture and we hear it clatter. Norton then puts his hand right through the poster and rips it off the wall to see a big hole in the wall leaving him and his men stunned.  

Clancy Brown is also great in his role as Byron Hadley, the brutal Captain of the guards at Shawshank who does some nasty stuff in his tenure and he gets some of the best dialogue in the film.

And Clancy has some great scenes that include the one where Hadley addresses one of the new inmates at the start of the film who simply asks "When do we eat?". And Hadley goes over to the inmate and says sharply to him "You eat when we SAY you eat! You shit when we SAY you shit! And you piss when we SAY you piss! You got that you maggot dick motherfucker?!" and he hits the inmate in the gut with his baton.

Then there is the brutal scene where one of the new inmates simply called Fat ass, breaks down in tears as he shouts "I don't belong here!" as all the prisoners taunt him and cause Hadley to come in to find out what's going on. So, Hadley walks up to fat ass's cell and asks him bluntly "What's your malfunction, you fat barrel of monkey spunk?!". And fat ass says "Please! I ain't supposed to be in here! Not me!" and Hadley warns him "I ain't gonna count to three, I'm not even gonna count to one, you will shut the FUCK up, or I'll sing you a lullaby!!!". However fat ass becomes more delirious and says "You don't understand, there's been a mistake! I'm not supposed to be in here!!" and Hadley has had enough and says "Open that cell!" and he grabs fat ass and proceeds to beat the hell out of him and knocks him unconscious. Afterward there is a stony silence as Hadley puts his hat on and warns the prisoners "If I hear as much as a mouse fart in here the rest of the night, I swear by God and sonny Jesus, you will ALL visit the infirmary! Every last motherfucker in here!".  Hadley then says to his men quietly "Call the trustees to take that tub of shit down to the infirmary" and he walks out.

And then there is the great scene where Hadley complains about inheritance money he has been left by his dead brother but that the IRS is bound to take a big cut of it, however Andy approaches him and tells him how Hadley can keep all the money. 

So, in the scene Hadley complains to his guards "What do you think the government is gonna do to me? They're gonna take a big wet bite out of my ass that's what! Uncle Sam! I swear to God he grabs you by the tit and squeezes it until you go purple! Some brother!". Andy then approaches Hadley slowly and the guards alarmed spin round and Andy asks Hadley "Mr Hadley, do you trust your wife?" and Hadley takes out his baton and says "That's real funny. You're gonna look even funnier sucking my dick with no teeth!". Andy however then asks "What I mean is do you think she'd ever go behind your back and hamstring you?" and Hadley grabs Andy and says "That's it Merf! Stand aside, this fucker's having himself an accident!" and hauls to the edge of the roof and Andy quickly says "Because if you trust there is no reason you can't keep that $35000!". Hadley stops and asks "All of it?!" and Andy says "All of it! Every penny!". 

Hadley then warns Andy "You better start making sense!" and Andy explains to Hadley what he means and that the IRS can allow a one time gift of up to $60,000 to a spouse and that he is willing to take care of the paperwork to organize it for him. So, Hadley says to Andy "You're that smart wife killin banker, aren't you? Why should I believe a smart banker like you?! So, I can wind up in here like you?!". Andy explains its all perfectly legal and he could look into himself and Hadley angrily "Yeah fuckin A! I don't need no smart wife killing banker to tell me where the bear shit in buck wheats!". Andy then says "Of course not. But you do need someone to set up the tax free gift for you. A lawyer for example and that'll cost you" and Hadley angrily says "A bunch of ball washing bastards!" and Andy offers to take care of it for him free of charge and requests just a few beers as reward. Hadley thinks it over and notices the prisoners tarring the roof  are all watching him and he shouts at them "What are you Jimmies starin at?! Get back to work!!" and he let's go of Andy.

And last of all is the scene where Andy plays Mozart over the prison's PA system much to the annoyance of the Warden as Andy has locked the door to his office. And in the scene, Norton warns Andy "I warning you Dufresne! TURN THAT OFF!" but Andy turns it up even louder and Norton looks to Hadley, who looks through the door window and taps the glass with his baton and says "Dufresne...you're mine now!". And as Andy serenely shuts his eye to the music, the next thing we see is Hadley smash the glass of the door window with his baton and he unlocks the door, goes in and turns off the record and says "On your feet!!". 

Gil Bellows is excellent also in his role as Tommy, another inmate who is serving a sentence for robbery and reveals some important information about Andy's crime.

And Gil has some great scenes that include his first one where Tommy tells the men a story about how he was arrested carrying a stolen TV set. So, Tommy tells the men "So, I had this big TV on me, couldn't see shit and all of a sudden this cop appears and says "Freeze kid! Hands in the air!" and I stand there and say nothing. And the cop then says "Did you hear what I said boy?" and Tommy says "Yes, I did sir but if I drop this fuckin thing then you've got me on destruction of property too!" and they all laugh.

Another good scene is the one where Tommy asks for Andy to help him achieve his high school equivalency diploma. So, in the scene Tommy goes up to Andy in the library and says to him "I was thinking about getting my GED. I heard you helped some fellas get that". Andy however dismissively says to him "I don't wast time with losers, Tommy" and Tommy annoyed says "I ain't no goddamn loser!" and Andy says "You mean that?" and Tommy says "Yeah" and Andy says "Good, because if we do this, we do it all the way, nothing half-assed". Tommy then awkwardly says "Only thing is I don't read so good" and Andy corrects him "Well, you don't read so "well" but Tommy looks confused and Andy says "We'll get to that".

And then there is the great scene where Tommy on the day of his test, Tommy sits nervously writing as Andy holds up a stopwatch and he stops it and says "Time". Andy then asks "Well?" and Tommy says grimly "Well, its for shit. I wasted a whole year of my time with this bullshit" and Andy says "Come on, its probably not as bad as you think" and Tommy says "No, it worse, I didn't get a fuckin thing right, it might as well have been in Chinese!". Andy then says "Let's just see how the score comes out" and Tommy angrily tells him "Yeah? Well, I'll tell you how the goddamn score comes out...!" and he scrunches up the test paper and throws it in the bin. Tommy then shouts "Two points! Right there is your goddamn score! Goddamn cats crawling up trees, five times five is 25! FUCK THIS PLACE!!! FUCK IT!!" and he angrily storms out. 

And this is followed by the scene where Red explains to Tommy what Andy is in prison for and how he killed his wife and a golf pro who were sleeping with each other, which leaves Tommy shaken. 

So, we cut to Tommy telling a story about an inmate he shared a cell with called Elmo Blatch and he says "About four years ago I was up in Thomaston on a two to three stretch. Stole a car. It was a dumb-fuck thing to do. About six months left to go, I get a new cellmate in. Elmo Blatch. Big, twitchy fucker. Kind of roomie you pray you don't get, you know what I'm sayin'? Six to twelve, armed burglary. Said he'd pulled hundreds of jobs - hard to believe, high-strung as he was, you cut a loud fart he'd jump three feet in the air. Talked *all the time*, too, that's the other thing, he never shut up. Places he'd been, jobs he'd pulled, women he fucked. Even, people he killed. People, gave him shit. That's how he put it. So one night like a joke, I say to him, I say, "Yeah, Elmo, who'd you kill?" So he says: and we cut to Elmo himself who tells the story of how he killed a golf pro and a woman he was with and that they pinned the crime on a banker.  

And last of all is Gil's final scene where Norton speaks privately to Tommy outside and asks him about what Elmo's story and if its true. So, Norton says to Tommy "I need your help, son. I have to know if what you told Dufresne is the truth" and Tommy says "Yes, sir. Absolutely" and Norton asks "Would you be willing to swear before a judge and jury? Having placed your hand on the good book and taken an oath before the God almighty himself?" and Tommy confidently says "Just give me that chance!" and Norton after a moment smiles and says "That's what I thought" and he pats him on the shoulder. Norton however then puts out his cigarette and looks up above as does Tommy who is shot dead by Hadley in a tower with a rifle.

William Sadler also does a great job in his role as Heywood, one of the inmates, who is friendly with Red and the others and he appears to be a bit sinister at first but he turns out to be quite likeable and amusing as he goes on in the film as well as not too bright!

And I will mention a few of Sadler's scenes such as the one where Heywood taunts the new cell mate, Fat Ass, who Heywood bet on breaking down in tears on his first night. So, Heywood in the cell next to Fat Ass says to him "Fat ass! Hey Fat ass! I know you're there, I can hear you breathing. Don't you listen to those nitwits you hear? This place ain't so bad. Tell you what, I'll show around and help you settle in. I know a few bull queers who just love to make you acquiantance especially with that big mushy white butt of yours!". And Fat ass finally breaks down and cries out "I don't belong here!" and Heywood smiles and triumphantly shouts "And its Fat Ass by a nose!!" and he chants "Fresh fish! Fresh fish!" as do all the other inmates. However as Hadley enters and threatens Fat Ass, Heywood tries to warn him quietly "Shut up, man. Shut up!" but to no avail as Fat Ass becomes more hysterical and Hadley takes him out and brutally beats him.

And his next scene of note is the next morning where Heywood having been triumphant with his bet of Fat Ass breaking down crying, gets his share of packs of cigarettes. So, Heywood smugly tells the men "Its a fine morning, ain't it? You know why its a fine morning? Come on, set em down! I want them all lined up!". And the cons all bring out their cigarettes and Heywood lines them up side by side and he smells them and says "Ah, yes! Richmond, Virginia!". Heywood then smugly continues "I do love that horse of mine! I do believe I owe a big sloppy kiss the next time I see him!" and he asks one of the other inmates "How is that horse of mine doing?" and the inmate tells him "Dead" much to Heywood and everyone else's shock. The inmate then says "Hadley busted his head up pretty good. Doc had already gone home for the night, poor bastard lay there till this morning, hell then there was nothing we could do!". After a silence, Andy asks "What was his name?" and Heywood coldly asks "What you say?" and Andy asks "I just wondered if somebody knew his name" and Heywood says to him "What the fuck do you care, new fish?! Doesn't fuckin matter what his name was, he's dead!".

Another good scene comes when Brooks holds Heywood at knife point after learning he is to be released from prison. And Brooks finally relents and let's Heywood go of him and afterwards the men ask after Brooks and Heywood angrily says "Hey what about me?! Crazy old goddamn fool nearly cut my throat!" and Red says "Ah shit, you've had worse from shaving! What did you say to set him off anyway?" and Heywood says "I didn't do nothing! I came here to say fare thee well! Didn't you hear?! His parole had come through!". 

And last of all is the scene where Andy, Red and Heywood and the other cellmates they are friendly with all look through some books that have been donated to the prison library. So, Heywood looks at one title and says "The Count of Monte Crisco" and one of the inmates corrects him "That's Cristo, ya dumb shit!" and the others laugh. And Heywood looks at the author and says "By Alexander Dumbass!" and they all break up laughing and Andy puzzled asks "Dumb ass??" and Heywood shows him the book and Andy corrects him "Dumas". 

James Whitmore as Brooks Hatlen, an elderly inmate who has been in prison for most of his life but is later paroled and struggles to adapt to life on the outside. And Whitmore provides a charming performance as the old prisoner, who has a heartbreaking tragic end to his story. 

And I will mention two of his scenes that include the one where after Andy is assigned to help Brooks in the library, he is ordered to help set up a trust fund for one of the guards. So, afterward Brooks laughs with the other men as he tells the story about how Andy dealt with the guard. And Brooks says to the others while they eat "And then Andy says "Mr Dekins, do you want your sons to go to Harvard or Yale?" and they all laugh. And one of the men, Floyd says "He didn't say that!" and Brooks laughs and says "God is my witness! Dekins just looked at him a second and laughed himself silly and afterwards actually shoot Andy's hand. I nearly soiled myself! I mean all he needed was a shirt and a tie and he would "Mr Dufresne" if you please!".

And last of all is the scene where Brooks holds Heywood at knife point as he warns the others to keep back "KEEP BACK! I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna cut his fuckin throat!!". But Andy calms him down and reasons with him and says "Look at Heywood's neck, for God sake. He's bleeding" and Brook finally relents and tears up and says "But its the only way they'd let me stay" and he drops the knife and sobs to himself as Andy comforts him. This is then followed by the poignant sequence where Brooks struggles to adapt to the outside world and he decides to hang himself and he narrates "I just want to be back where things make sense" before his death. 

And last of all is Mark Rolston as Bogs, the gang leader of the Sisters, who have a vested interest in Andy and frequently assault him physically (and sexually!) early on in the film.

And I will mention two of Rolston's scenes starting with the one where Bogs first speaks to Andy in the shower room surrounded by other inmates. So, Bogs asks Andy "Hey, has anyone got to you yet?" and Andy turns around and Bogs asks again "Anybody GET to you yet? We all could use friends in here and I could be a FRIEND to you". Andy however just walks away and Bogs pushes him as he goes and Bogs says to himself "Hard to get. I like that!". 

And lastly there is the scene where Bogs and his gang ambush Andy as he leaves the cinema and they throw him into the projection room. And Bogs says to the projectionist "Take a walk!" who says "I gotta change a reel!" and Bogs shouts at him "I said FUCK OFF!" and the projectionist goes out. Bogs then looks at Andy and says "Ain't you gonna scream?" and Andy says "Let's get this over with" and he grabs a film reel and hits Bogs in the face with it and one of his gang who shouts "He broke my fuckin nose!".

Bogs then beats up Andy and takes out a knife and holds it close to his face and says "Now, I'm gonna open my fly and you're gonna swallow what I give you to swallow. And then you gonna swallow Rooster's because you broke his nose, he better have something to show for it" and Andy warns him "Anything you put in my mouth you're gonna lose". Bogs then says "You don't understand" he holds up his knife and says "You do that and I'll put a whole inch of this steel in your ear" and Andy says "Alright but you should know that sudden serious brain injury can cause the victim to bite down hard. In fact I heard the bite reflex is so strong, they have pry the victim's mouth open with a crowbar". Bogs then looks for once shaken and asks "Where did you get this shit?" and Andy says "I read it. You know how to read, you ignorant fuck?" and Bogs says to him "Honey...you shouldn't!" and he throws his knife away and proceeds to brutally beat Andy up.

DIRECTOR AND MUSIC

As for the direction, Frank Darabont does a great job here with the film as well having written the script and adapted it from the book by Stephen King, which is called Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. However Darabont felt this title would confuse audiences and decided to remove Rita Hayworth from the title. The film also rarely ever lags and is well paced throughout and Darabont also gets great performances from the cast and I'd also recommend listening to his commentary on the film if you ever get the Blu-ray disc, which is excellent. In short though, this is easily Daranbont's finest work. 

Moving onto the score of the film, which is by Thomas Newman and it is simply superb and fits the tone of the film perfectly as it is beautiful, dramatic and poignant all at once. The score also would act as template for many future scores and it features Newman's very familiar piano cues all of which work perfectly. Overall this is definitely of Newman's best and most memorable works. 

FLAWS

As for flaws...well The Shawshank Redemption does have some minor ones but nothing much.

For starters, I wondered about how Andy kept giving financial advice to not only Norton and Hadley but also the entire guard staff but how do the authorities not find out its one of the convicts that is helping them out??? I think however as Andy later says to Red that his alias of Randall Stephens is the man behind it all but did he use that alias when he started doing all the tax returns for the guards and Norton? I'm not too sure about that one!

Another issue relates to Andy's alias of Randall Stevens being the "guilty man with all the bank accounts" which if that is so then surely the bank staff could possibly let the authorities know where he is going as the bank manager we see said "I hope you enjoy living abroad" which suggests he told them where he is going. He might not have of course but its enough there to suggest he could have. 

I also have an issue with Red violating his parole in that he stays in the same hotel that Brooks did (and you wonder how did he find that one out unless he did some serious asking around!) carves the words "So was Red" on the ceiling along side Brooks words "Brooks Hatlen was here". Its possible also that they could trace where Red went as we see him order tickets for Fort Hancock in Texas and even though he says "I doubt they'll throw up a few roadblocks for an old con like me" they could still try as he is linked to an escapee from the same prison.  

I also thought the only time the film really lags is during the sequence where Brooks is released from prison and struggles to adapt to living in the outside world and later sadly takes his own life as a result. I guess its a necessary section of the film but one I always found it a bit heavy going and depressing and tend to skip it when watching the film. 

Its also funny to think that Andy's rock hammer lasted as long as it did without breaking when he was tunneling out the wall and didn't need another one! And as Red narrates they found it after Andy escaped and it was "damn near worn right down to the nub!" which makes it even remarkable that it hadn't broken being used for carving his chess pieces and tunneling. 

Another slight oddity I discovered was to do with the make-up for the actors in the film as the story takes place over 19 years, Tim and Morgan's make-up is subtle to show they have aged. However if you notice the other actors, they look like they haven't aged at all particularly William Sadler as Heywood and David Proval's character (who would later appear as Richie Aprile in the Sopranos) they look almost exactly the same!

And lastly there are some daft lines or dialogue here there in the film such as the line where Hadley threatens the prisoners after beating up Fat Ass by saying they will "all visit the infirmary! Every last motherfucker in here!" if they don't keep quiet. Now I know he doesn't literally mean it but I don't think the prison has enough beds to cope with a whole floor of beaten up prisoners! Yeah OK, I know its just a loaded threat but at the same time its one that makes little logical sense. 

Anyway that's it for the flaws.

SUM UP

So, to sum up, The Shawshank Redemption almost 30 years still remains a modern classic and one of the all time great films of the 1990's which tells a poignant story about the friendship of two prisoners and does it brilliantly that has great writing and features two great performances by Freeman and Robbins. The film's script and direction both by Frank Darabont are superb and the film is backed up confidently also by its terrific score by Thomas Newman and some elegant cinematography by Roger Deakins. 

The film in a way was also unfortunate victim of timing on its release as it fell under the radar with the likes of Pulp Fiction and Forrest Gump grabbing all the headlines for that year, Shawshank sadly didn't come on until a year after when video rentals went through the roof and the film's reputation grew thanks to word of mouth. But it now rightly stands as one of the best films of its time and as also stands as a message of hope for many people which makes it as relevant today as the day it was released. But all that aside its basically just a damn good movie! ;-)

So, I will rate the Shawshank Redemption:

10 out of 10 

So, that's it for now and I will be back soon with 

Rocky V Review "I didn't hear no bell!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, now we are into April and Easter is approaching, I figure I would get another post up and as I have been re-watching the Rocky films, there is one that I did review ages back but haven't updated and that is Rocky V. 

Now, Rocky V is often considered the weakest entry in the franchise and had negative reviews on its release but after almost 35 years, how does this film now fair? Well, let's take another look and find out....

And the usual warning is coming...

PLOT SPOILERS ARE AHEAD!!!

STORY 

So, the film begins like all the others where the last one left off (i.e. Rocky IV) with Rocky after his victory over Ivan Drago in Russia, returning home to the US with Adrian, Paulie and Duke (Tony Burton).  On arriving in the US, Rocky is reunited with his son, Robert (Sage Stallone) and at a press conference, Rocky is approached by the boxing promoter, George Washington Duke (Richard Gant) who attempts to get him involved in a fight with his prospect, Union Cane (Michael Williams) but Rocky refuses.  

On returning home however things turn real bad as it is revealed that Paulie unknowingly had Rocky sign a power of attorney to Rocky's accountant, who had squandered all their money on real estate deals that went sour.  The accountant had also failed to pay Rocky's taxes over the last six years and their mansion is discovered to have a $400,000 debt, which forces Rocky to file for bankruptcy and to have his mansion and belongings auctioned off.  As a result of this Rocky and his family are forced to move back to Rocky's old neighbourhood in South Philadelphia.  And to make matters worse, Rocky discovers from the doctors that he has suffered brain damage after his fight with Drago and as a result he can no longer box.

Rocky then goes back to the gym belonging to his former trainer, the late Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith) which Mickey actually bequeathed to Robert.  Rocky one day meets a young and hungry fighter named Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison) who is eager for Rocky to train him, however Rocky initially refuses, but eventually accepts and takes him under his wing.  Together Rocky and Tommy make a name for themselves as fighter and trainer as Tommy's raw talent as a boxer gets him noticed and he climbs up the ranks to be a top contender.  Rocky however has become so embroiled in training Tommy that he starts to neglect his son, Robert, who becomes discontent and angry at his father.  Robert also gets bullied at school, however he soon learns a few moves from Tommy and he beats up one of the bullies, and they soon start hanging out with one another.

Duke in the meantime uses the opportunity of a title shot to lure Tommy to join him, as he intends to take him away from Rocky.  Duke also makes Tommy aware of the fact that he and Rocky don't even have a formal contract agreement, which he also uses to his advantage to lure him away.  On the night of Christmas Eve, Tommy turns up at Rocky's house with Duke and he tells him how he is going to sign with Duke so he can get his title shot.  Rocky pleads with Tommy to not get involved with Duke as he is just using him, but Tommy refuses to listen and drives off in his car.  

Rocky afterwards has an argument with Adrian as he tells her he resents being back in his old neighbourhood and that working with Tommy gave him something to aim for.  Adrian however tells Rocky that Tommy could never be him as he doesn't have Rocky's heart and spirit and that he should see to his son rather than Tommy.  Rocky then afterward goes to Robert and apologizes for neglecting him and they make amends.

Later Tommy has his title fight against Union Cane and he ends up defeating Cane with great ease as he knocks him out in the first round to win the world heavyweight title, much to the chagrin of the crowd who boo him for having left Rocky.  Rocky is delighted watching at home but is disheartened when Tommy doesn't even acknowledge him on TV and instead credits Duke for getting him there.  Tommy however is given a grilling in a post match press conference where the reporters tell him that Cane wasn't even a proper champion as he never fought anyone to acquire it.  The reporters also say that Tommy needs to fight a worthy opponent in order to prove himself as a champion.  

After the conference Tommy is furious and Duke convinces him the only way he can get the respect he so badly wants is to fight Rocky man to man.  Tommy and Duke soon confront Rocky at his local bar and challenge him to fight, with Rocky initially refusing, but when Paulie stands up for Rocky, Tommy hits Paulie and Rocky then challenges Tommy to a street fight, which leads to the film's climax as both men get involved in a dirty street brawl...

THOUGHTS

There is no doubt that Rocky V is the weakest of the Rocky films and as it was supposedly the last Rocky film of the series it certainly in that regard proved to be something of a disappointment.  However despite all that I still think there is a fair bit to enjoy in Rocky V and while it is far from perfect, one thing that Stallone does do well here is relocate Rocky's story back to where he began in his old neighbourhood.  And by doing this Stallone manages to ground the series again back in reality after the wealthy excesses of Rocky III and IV.  

And its encouraging to at least see the regular characters are still as endearing as they were before with Rocky still having his world weary charm, and Paulie proving to be the same likeable bum, and Adrian providing the emotional anchor to the family.  The film however as I mentioned was not successful on its release and even Sylvester Stallone mentioned afterward that he intended for Rocky V to see the series end on a high note but he was disappointed as he felt Rocky V just didn't do that and he even rated it as 0 out 10 on the Jonathan Ross show!  

PERFORMANCES AND NOTABLE SCENES (Warning: this section may contain spoilers)

So, moving onto the performances will things are actually not too bad here, with regular cast providing some nice performances.  

Starting with Sylvester Stallone once again provides a charming and likeable performance as Rocky who after being forced to retire from boxing due to sustaining brain trauma from his fight against Drago and losing his wealth and posessions, has to go back to living on the rough streets of his old neighbourhood.  

And Sly gets some good scenes, such as his first one where Rocky is feeling the effects of his fight with Drago in the shower room, he is trembling and Adrian tries to comfort him. And Rocky says to her "You know Adrian, how Mickey used to say he fought so hard sometimes he thought something was broken inside" and Adrian worried says "Rocky, you're scaring me!" and Rocky trembling says to her "My hand won't stop shaking! I just wanna go home!" and Adrian says "Come on" and Rocky says worringly instead "I wanna go home, Mick!". 

Then there is the scene where Rocky watches Tommy spar roughly in Mickey's gym and he tells him to ease off and says "Sparring don't mean breaking bones, kid!". Tommy then says "Why don't you give me a chance! Not unless you don't think I got nothin goin on" and Rocky says "Nothing goin on? No. You got plenty going on, kid but I ain't no manager, I always been the managed person" and he says "Listen, good luck alright" and he turns his back on Tommy who walks off angrily punching a punch bag as he goes.

Then there is the scene where Rocky argues loudly with Adrian on the street after Tommy drives off on him.  And Rocky says to Adrian angrily "Hey Adrian, I know where we live!  What do you think I am, stupid? I'm not as dumb as you think I am!  I see where I am Adrian, and I don't want this no more!  I want something good for the family and not this!  Adrian did I come back to have my brains beat out for these guys to say "Hey there goes Balboa!  Just another bum in the neighbourhood!" and he slams his jacket down on the wet ground.   

Then there is the scene where Rocky pleads with Tommy not to sign with Duke outside his house on Christmas Eve. So, Rocky says "This is what Mick told me about. About the business, the dirty part of the business. These managers, when they represent these fighters, they promise them the world, then they, they suck' em dry, leave them, leave them in the gutter, broke Tommy! This is what I'm talkin' about? You know Tommy? Duke. Duke, he's, he's like a vampire Tommy. He's living off of your blood Tommy!". Tommy then angrily says to Rocky "But I ain't you and you ain't Mick! When are you gonna realise this is a business and in business you need..." and Rocky annoyed says "Brains?! What you saying I don't have any brains?!" and Tommy says he never said that but its his way or the highway and he drives off leaving Rocky yelling "TOMMY!" but he feels the effects of his brain trauma come over him briefly. 

Another one of my favourite scenes in the film from Sly is when Tommy confronts Rocky in the bar and after Tommy hits Paulie, Rocky says "Now you knocked him down.  Why don't you try knockin me down now?!" and Duke says "Only in the ring! Tommy Gunn only fights in the ring!" and Rocky replies "My ring's outside" and Tommy angrily says "Let's do it!".  And then Rocky sucker punches Tommy a few times and knocks him down and says "I loved you man! We were like this! But you blew it, Tommy! You blew it!". 

Also another great line that Sly has is after the fight he walks up to the arrogant Duke, who says "Touch me and I'll sue" and Rocky hesitates then punches Duke in the gut who falls onto a car and Rocky smiles and says "Sue me for what?!". 

And last of all is the scene at the end where Rocky runs up the steps of the Philadelphia museum of art, and he gives Robert, Rocky Marciano's cufflink, and Robert holds it to his ear like an earring and asks how he looks and Rocky says "Well you look like the daughter I always wanted!". Robert then pretend punches him and Rocky says "Don't keep punching, I'm gettin brittle ya know". Rocky in his closing says to Robert "You know, I've been running up and down these steps for 20 years and I never knew there were valuable paintings in this building". Robert then says "You'll never too old to learn something new. You're gonna love Picasso" and Rocky smiles and says "Yeah? Well, I love almost everybody" and they walk off.  

Talia Shire once again also provides a nice performance as Adrian, Rocky's rock (OK I've used that one twice now!) and she shares her best scene with Sly in the scene where they argue over Tommy and their son Robert.  

And Talia has quite a few notable scenes such as the one where she berates Paulie for giving their accountant power of attorney, leaving them now broke. And Adrian in the scenes tells Rocky "He gave our accountant power of attorney!" but Paulie defiantly says "I didn't give power to nobody! He's the thief! I need alcohol" and he storms out. And Rocky asks what happened and Adrian says "Its gone" and Rocky asks "What's gone?" and Adrian says "The money. The money! Everything! Its all gone!".

Another good scene is when Duke tries to get Rocky to do another fight on the street in Philly but Adrian runs up to Rocky and stops them. So, Adrian shouts at Duke "HE'S DONE FIGHTING!" and Duke says to Rocky "You're a damn fool! Maybe we should sign Mrs Balboa to fight Cain. Looks like she has the cojones in the family!". And Rocky annoyed with her says "Why did you have to come here?" and Adrian says "I wanted to be close to you" and Rocky says "But YOU don't have to come back here, I do!" and Adrian says "Look all it would take is one hit and you'd be an invalid" and Rocky angrily says "I already feel like and invalid, Adrian!". 

Then there is the scene comes during the argument when she says "All those beatings you took in the ring, I took them with you!  I know how you feel when someone like Tommy comes along you feel alive! But he's not you - he doesn't have your heart!  All those fighters you beat with heart, not muscle!  If you wanna pass something on, pass it on to your son, for God's sake!  You son is lost, he needs you!  I know Tommy makes you feel great, and he makes you feel like you are winning again, but you are losing us!  Rocky, you're losing your family!".

And last of all is the scene where after Rocky watches Tommy win his world champion title fight and doesn't get credit for it from Tommy, Adrian tries to tell him that Tommy never had his heart. So, Adrian says to Rocky "I told you, you could give him everything but you couldn't give him your heart". Rocky however tries to brush it off and says "No. Its OK, Adrian really". 

Burt Young is great again in his role as the cynical yet somehow likeable bum Paulie, who makes the stupidest decision of his life but giving power of attorney to Rocky's accountant and thereby selling them all down the river.

Burt has plenty of good lines in the film, such as in the scene when he and Rocky first see Tommy box with such aggression and Paulie smiles "You see that?! That is the smell of opportunity, Rocko!".  And when Rocky asks Paulie what "cojones" means, he says "Its Latin for Spanish nuts!" And in the scene where Tommy arrives in Mickey's old gym, Paulie says "Tommy said to me he wants to fight, so I told him to get married!" but Rocky doesn't get the joke and Paulie tells him "That's gym humour, Rocko!".  

And later on after so many fights with Tommy, Paulie sees that Duke has taken over Tommy's PR and imposes himself publicly on Tommy. And Paulie says to Rocky "You hear that Rocko? That's the sound of your ship sinking. This ship has sunk, Rocko, its sunk!" as Rocky looks on disappointed as Duke has Tommy's picture taken with him and a trophy redhead as they start manipulate Tommy.  

And last of all is the scene where Paulie defends Rocky and insults Tommy at the bar and he tells him "You know you're a real piece garbage you know that, Tommy?!  This man spit blood for you, he put you before his own family!  Rocky's the real champion and you're just a goddamn joke! Now get out of here before I break your face!".  And after Tommy decks Paulie, Paulie wipes the blood from his mouth and looks up to Rocky and says "You should have left him on the streets where you found him!".

As for new cast members Sage Stallone, Sly's real life late son, makes a very good impression as Rocky's son, Robert, who has a subplot involving Robert's struggles fitting into a new school in Philly where he gets bullied but later fights back against the bullies. Sage sadly would later die in 2012 just at the age of 36 coronary artery disease.

And for starters I will mention the scene where the kid that bullies him taunts him again and Robert finally stands up to him and shouts "Go for it!" and proceeds to kick his ass as the other kids watch nearby and cheer Robert on.  So, after Robert dishes out the beating, the bully get's up and Robert refers to his stolen jacket the bully wears "I believe that is mine. If you wanna to finish what we started?" and the bully says "No, that's OK, we're good" and he walks away. 

Then there is the good scene with Sly when Robert has finally had enough of his dad's neglect and he warns him about his situation with Tommy "You said that we'd be tight and you lied!" and Robert warns Rocky "You know when you said to watch out for scams and deceptions? Well you are the one that should have watched out!". 

Then there is the scene where Rocky makes amends with Robert and says to him "Look kid, I would love just to hang out with again. Just you and me this time, I swear to God" and Robert after a moment asks home "Home team?" and Rocky says "Yeah" and they walk together. So, Rocky says "You wanna hear a joke?" and Robert cheerily says "Yeah sure why not?" and Rocky says "Knock knock" and Robert asks "Who's there?" and Rocky says "Tuna fish" and Robert says "Tuna fish who?" and Rocky says "You can tune a piano but you cannot tune a fish!" and Robert laughs and says "Well, you're getting better!".  

Tommy Morrison however it has to be said that he is definitely the weakest link here as Tommy "the machine" Gunn, the young and ambitious boxer who wants to make it to the top, and is replete with a ridiculous mullett! Morrison however does a decent enough job here despite not being an actor himself even if his line delivery at times is a bit hammy and overdone. 

And he does have some notable scenes himself such as the one where he waits outside Mickey's gym to chat to Rocky again to persuade him to train him. 

So, Tommy says to Rocky "I know all about you all back to your first fight with Apollo Creed. I read about how no one gave you a chance. I'm not from the same streets as you but I'm hungry just like you were. Ever since I put gloves on I wanted to meet you. Cos I knew if anybody could have made me a winner, it would be you" and Rocky looks at Paulie and asks "Do, I look like a winner here?". Tommy then says "Look, Rocky you don't know me but anything you need me to do, I'll do it. All I'm asking for is a chance, I mean just one shot".  

And then there is the scene where Tommy while eating with Rocky, Adrian, Paulie and Robert he tells them about growing with a violent father. So, he says to them "So, every time I step into that ring now, I see my father. He's the first guy I ever knocked out. I guess its kind of sick isn't it?".

And then we have the scene where Tommy has it out with Rocky as he tells him that he is signing with Duke and leaving Rocky behind. So, Tommy shouts at Rocky "I'm 22-0! Where's the money?! The way we were going I'm not gonna get a shot at the title for a long time!". And as Rocky pleads with Tommy not to sign with Duke, he tells him about Mickey protecting him when he was a young boxer. Tommy however says "But I ain't you and you ain't Mick! When are you gonna realise that this is a business and in business you need..." and Rocky angrily says "Brains??!! You saying I don't have any brains, Tommy?!!". Tommy then angrily says "Look Rock! You took me as far as you could but Duke gave me my title shot, not you. If you wanna still train me then do it, if not then don't!! But its my way or the highway!!" and he drives off. 

Then there is the fight scene with Rocky and Tommy at the end which is  pretty decent highlight and I like it when he grabs Duke and shouts "YOU DON'T OWN ME!!! NOBODY DOES!!"and he turns to Rocky and says "I want my respect!" who taunts him "Come and get it". And after Tommy beats up on Rocky, who seems to be feeling the effects of the fight, Rocky then manages to get up and says "Hey Tommy! I didn't hear no bell! One more round!" and Tommy says to him "This time I'm not gonna knock you out, I'm gonna put you through the street!".  

Tommy Morrison himself unfortunately however has since passed away in 2013 from complications due to reportedly having suffered from AIDS probably as a result of drug abuse as he had a troubled history of charges with the police for drugs, assault and possession of firearms.  In fact that remains one of the film's more poignant aspects is that two of the lead actors, Sage and Tommy are no longer with us, one of which sadly remains a personal tragedy for Stallone himself.       

Richard Gant does a pretty good as the insufferably obnoxious and manipulative boxing promoter, George Washington Duke, and most of the time you just want to slap him and by the time Rocky punches his lights out at the end, you feel its way overdue! 

And Gant's notable scenes include the one where Duke tries to persuade Rocky into fighting but Adrian stops him. So, Adrian shouts at Duke "HE'S DONE! HE'S DONE FIGHTING!" and after a pause, Duke angrily says to Rocky "You're a damn fool! Maybe we ought to sign Mrs Balboa to fight Cain. Looks like she's the only one with the cajones in the family!". 

Another good scene is the one after a disastrous title match press conference Duke grabs a furious Tommy and says to him he must get Rock to fight him in order to gain the respect that he so badly wants. So, Duke angrily says to Tommy "You gotta dog him, you gotta humiliate him, you gotta do whatever it takes to get him in that ring!  But that's what you gotta do!".  

Also near the end of the film after he witness Rocky defeat Tommy in the street fight (SPOILED IT!!) he looks on amazed and says "Goddamn!  Only in America!" and he says to Rocky "Hey Balboa. You finally outclassed the bum huh?". Rocky then moves toward him with intent and Duke smiles and says "Touch me and I'll sue. Come on, punk! Touch me and I'll sue" and Rocky tightens his fist and after a moment punches Duke in the gut onto a car and Rocky says "Sue me for what?".

And lastly I will mention Burgess Meredith who provides a charming, albeit somewhat sentimental performance in a flashback scene when Rocky heads back to Mickey's old gym and he gives the younger Rocky, a cufflink that was given to him by Rocky Marciano.  And Mickey says to Rocky "If you ever get hurt and you ever feel like you are going down this little angel is gonna whisper in your ear.  Its gonna say "Get up you son of a bitch, cos Mickey loves you!".     

DIRECTOR AND MUSIC

And here's a quick mention to John G. Avildsen who does a decent job with the directorial duties here although he fails to really capture the grimy and realistic qualities that the orignal had, he still keeps the film moving along nicely and presents the boxing scenes well. He also deserves credit for bringing some sense of reality back to the Rocky series here after the outlandish nature of Rocky IV where Rocky was buying robots for his son that he uses to look after him while Robert's parents abandon him! 

And lastly Bill Conti makes a welcome return with another charming music score although it does incorporate some music tones of the early 90's which does somewhat date it somewhat to that period. However we still manage to get the familiar charming themes that featured in the previous Rocky films that Conti scored and they work just as well here. 

FLAWS (Warning: this section may contain spoilers!)
   
So, as for flaws...yes Rocky V has a few worth mentioning. 

For starters one of the main problems with the film are its two new characters, Tommy Gunn and George Washington Duke.  For starters Tommy Gunn as a character is pretty bland and one dimensional and his back story is not very interesting either, offering a wholly unoriginal idea of becoming a boxer because the anger he endured at the hands of his abusive father. And its hard to really care about if he makes it or not as he goes on, we see that Tommy is seduced by the promises of wealth that Duke makes to him more than his faith in Rocky getting him a shot at the title.

And then there is the boxing promoter Duke who from the start is just an infuriating pain in the ass, who babbles on like some kind of demented evangelist and is obviously a take on the real life boxing promoter Don King (minus the ridiculous hair!).  And he even babbles on during Rocky and Tommy's fight when Tommy gets knocked down, Duke says "Now I told you not to try and fight a street fighter's fight!". Achh just shut up already!!

Union Cane is another pointless character, who takes on the undeserved mantle of the world heavyweight champion after Rocky's retiring and he serves to be an absurdly easy obstacle for Tommy to remove so he can claim the title for his own.  And the actor playing him, Michael Williams, even has a ridiculous line where he says "I'm better than Balboa ever was!".  Yeah, just keep telling yourself that one mate! ;-)

The film is also somewhat overly sentimental as well in places, particularly in the scene where Rocky has his flashback with Mickey and in that scene it just feels a bit too gushy with Mickey being overly gooey about his love for Rocky like a son.  The scenes with Rocky and Robert also feel a bit sentimental as well, and it starts to get a bit obvious when Rocky keeps trying to pull the same trick on his son by saying "Kid what's up with your ear?  You gotta bump!" and he pulls a coin from behind his ear with a bit of slight of hand, yet he does it so many times surely the kid would twig what he's doing! To be fair though their onscreen relationship does have it charm.

Also the whole subplot of Rocky losing his entire family fortune by signing a blanket power of attorney to his accountant just seems really silly.  For starters why didn't Adrian take to do with Rocky's business affairs?!  As her character is a smart and capable woman who surely would be better at dealing with the financial side of things than a sleazy bum like Paulie, yet somehow it appears she decided to leave it all up to him!  Either that or she had some serious blinders to what was going on, but she would be absolutely mad to leave it up to Paulie, which is what appears to be have happened.

I also found the film had one or two cringey throwbacks with the main offender being the Italian priest that appears in Rocky II that blesses Rocky and Tommy's partnership and Rocky says "I love it when he does that!" when the priest blesses them. And the priest again appears later on in the film out of nowhere after Rocky wins his fight against Tommy! And its such a stupidly random moment for them to pop him in the scene again so Rocky can say "I love it when he does that" again.  

Anyway that's it for the flaws. 

SUM UP    

So to sum up, Rocky V remains the weakest entry in the series as it has its share of problems regarding its bland and annoying supporting characters in Tommy and Duke and some rather daft plot holes as well as some overly sentimental moments at times in the film. But despite all that it still is an enjoyable film and it did at least bring the Rocky series back down to earth and Stallone provides another charming likeable performance as Rocky and Talia Share, Burt Young also reprise their roles well and Sage Stallone is also very good as Rocky's son Robert.

And if you go into Rocky V with low expectations and don't try and look for something great, then you might just enjoy it and it is for me still an underrated film that doesn't deserve the hate it gets.

So, I will give Rocky V:

7.5 out of 10

So, that's it for now and I will be back soon with another post at some point this month.

Until then its bye for now!