This piece of cinema exhibited abeyance to the great maxim "you can't always get what you want." A great cast, a compelling story, and a first time directorial debut from a well-regarded actor seems to create the formula for cinematic magic. Unfortunately after two hours that seemed more like three days in a third world airport this was not the case. I wish there had been one area to praise but this again was not the case. The cast a group of distinguished actors were uniformly without character,off key in delivery, and spouting embarrassing dialog. The storyline is hokey and filled with clichés. To top it off the predictable ending is an over the top contrivance. A gritty opening shot in a area of homeless people winds its way to a thoroughly improbable story by a very unappealing and unlikable character. Everyone else is sleepwalking through this disaster. I have no idea what some of the other reviewers thought they were watching but I know for me it was a poorly crafted film.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Our Winning Season
(1978)
Comments on Jan Smithers and Breaking Away
4 February 2009
Yesterday I saw this film for the fist time. Two things immediately struck me. Was this a warm-up for Dennis Quaid's role in Breaking Away? Almost the same character, same time frame, competitive aura; the similarities were striking. Also who did not have a crush on Jan Smithers? She looked so amazingly wholesome yet knowing at the same time. In fact I thought her relationship with her brother bordered on creepy from the outside but if you were the brother maybe, OK. Do not miss the Joanna Cassidy role. The woman every high-school guy dreamed of. the whole movie combined elements of early TV shows with frequently used movie cliché. The run up the fire outlook has been done so many times before and yet Sylvester Stallone could not keep it out of Rocky 1. Not a bad movie even enjoyable. Share it with people in their 50's, the conventions used are so familiar they are enjoyable.
Toto the Hero
(1991)
Don't miss it.
6 January 2005
A most unusual cinematic treat. I happened on this film in the middle. I was so intrigued by it I scanned the TV guide for a month until I could see it from beginning to end.
There are more than many comments one can make on his own life. In this film we can make our own judgment on the life of Thomas the Hero. We know from the outset that he feels he has been cheated from his birthright. Can he regain what has been taken from him? Or has he been unable to comprehend the quality of his own life? These issues are dealt with in four stories told almost simultaneously.The resolution is at once redeeming and thought-provoking.
There are more than many comments one can make on his own life. In this film we can make our own judgment on the life of Thomas the Hero. We know from the outset that he feels he has been cheated from his birthright. Can he regain what has been taken from him? Or has he been unable to comprehend the quality of his own life? These issues are dealt with in four stories told almost simultaneously.The resolution is at once redeeming and thought-provoking.
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