I came to this film by a roundabout route. It actually began when I listened to Randy Newman's "Good Old Boys" album, which contained three songs concerning the state of Louisiana in the 20's and 30's. One of these was called "Kingfish", which was the nickname of the controversial left-wing Democratic politician Huey Long, who was assassinated in 1935 at the height of his powers. On Newman's album the track is succeeded by a version of "Every Man A King", Long's campaign song back in the day, partly written by the man himself (and slyly referred to at one point in the screenplay). I then read up on Long and tracked down a TV movie on his life and times also called "Kingfish", starring John Goodman as Long and was then recommended to watch this film on his lesser-known but no less controversial brother Earl C Long.
This feature then stars Paul Newman as Long and Lolita Davidovich as his flame-haired mistress Blaze Starr who he first meets when she's doing her strip-tease act in a local night-club. Gradually this odd couple comes together and while his attraction to her is obvious, the reverse is probably answered by the question, "What first attracted you to the powerful local governor?" while their physical consummation is humorously marked by Long wearing his boots in bed, "for extra traction" he maintains.
From first to last, Long is smitten with his young love while her feelings for him take a more circuitous route and even when his many political enemies, some inside as well as outside his own camp, attempt to either sideline her or use her to bring him down, the old goat keeps returning to her, like a dog to its own vomit, to use Earl's own unedifying phrase. Long lives for only two things, Blaze and his political career and even when his party machine tries to deny him both, he finds a way back to them. When they have him certified insane and committed to an asylum, he gets back out and hits the campaign trail again with a new slogan 'I'm not crazy!" You have to admire his politics too, as in similar vein to his brother, he advocates support for the poor and equal treatment to the black community, the latter in the face of some ugly racism, again both inside and outside his own party.
Although there is a large supporting cast, the movie turns on the performances of its two leads and I'm happy to say that both, in their very different ways, are excellent. I was worried that Newman might indulge his occasional tendency to mug and over-inhabit Long's larger-than-life persona, but he's wholly credible throughout, dropping his voice to a near-croak in the process. Miss Davidoff however really steals the show with an endearing performance as the devil-may-care Blaze, demonstrating how to be sexy, sassy and savvy all at the same time.
Directed with a sure sympathy and appreciation of these quirky characters and the particular place and time they inhabit, this was a rollicking, recent-history "only in America" tale brought vividly and entertainingly to life.
This feature then stars Paul Newman as Long and Lolita Davidovich as his flame-haired mistress Blaze Starr who he first meets when she's doing her strip-tease act in a local night-club. Gradually this odd couple comes together and while his attraction to her is obvious, the reverse is probably answered by the question, "What first attracted you to the powerful local governor?" while their physical consummation is humorously marked by Long wearing his boots in bed, "for extra traction" he maintains.
From first to last, Long is smitten with his young love while her feelings for him take a more circuitous route and even when his many political enemies, some inside as well as outside his own camp, attempt to either sideline her or use her to bring him down, the old goat keeps returning to her, like a dog to its own vomit, to use Earl's own unedifying phrase. Long lives for only two things, Blaze and his political career and even when his party machine tries to deny him both, he finds a way back to them. When they have him certified insane and committed to an asylum, he gets back out and hits the campaign trail again with a new slogan 'I'm not crazy!" You have to admire his politics too, as in similar vein to his brother, he advocates support for the poor and equal treatment to the black community, the latter in the face of some ugly racism, again both inside and outside his own party.
Although there is a large supporting cast, the movie turns on the performances of its two leads and I'm happy to say that both, in their very different ways, are excellent. I was worried that Newman might indulge his occasional tendency to mug and over-inhabit Long's larger-than-life persona, but he's wholly credible throughout, dropping his voice to a near-croak in the process. Miss Davidoff however really steals the show with an endearing performance as the devil-may-care Blaze, demonstrating how to be sexy, sassy and savvy all at the same time.
Directed with a sure sympathy and appreciation of these quirky characters and the particular place and time they inhabit, this was a rollicking, recent-history "only in America" tale brought vividly and entertainingly to life.