Title: The Last Detail
Year: 1971
Director: Hal Ashby
Country: US
Language: English
The early 1970's were a fairly difficult time for Americans. The Vietnam War, Watergate scandal, and economic crisis had made Americans disillusioned with the Government, which created a more cynical culture. New Hollywood Cinema reflected this attitude with films like Easy Rider (1969), Five Easy Pieces (1970) and The Last Detail (1971)
In this, two Navy men are ordered to bring a young offender to prison, but decide to show him one last good time along the way.
The Last Detail shows an America that is tied up in petty bureaucracy; institutions which emasculate men, and only exist to serve its own existence. Meadows (a very young Randy Quaid) is being transported to a prison, where he will serve an eight year sentence for stealing $40. Such unfairness is frustrating. The only reprieve we feel from this injustice is when our fellow men show compassion and empathy.
The Last Detail is quite a touching film that reminds us to be more humane and kind to others. It's excellently photographed, has remarkable cinematography and is very well written. It's a sentimental good-natured picture that is well paced & quite funny at times. I particularly found the scene where Nicholson demands a beer to be hilarious.
Hal Ashby was a wonderful hippie, peace loving director that doesn't get enough discussion in film communities. His style of film-making was innovative; you can see his influence in many popular movies including The Holdovers (2023).
No comments:
Post a Comment