Review of Catch-22 (1970) by Jerry N — 19 Jan 2008
I adore this movie and even more adore Mike Nicholls as a director for doing it. For my money together with Apocalyspe Now this is the best and most effective anti war film ever made - not only conveying the absurdity of war but also that of the military.
The film centres around bomber pilot Yossarian's attempt to get himself out of running any more missions but the maximum number missions before rotation keeps getting increased. In order to do so he must be crazy.
If he continues to fly then he is crazy however if he says he's crazy then by definition he can't be crazy. Hence "Catch 22". A great ensemble cast whitty dialogue and typical Mike Nicholls sensitivity does justice to the original book by Joe Heller.
There are some great performances by Orson wells, John Voight, Bob Newhart, Charles Grodin, Martin Sheen, Anthony 'Psycho' Perkins and Richard Benjmin. But it's Alan Arkin who steals the show with his best ever screen performance.
watch out for the "I don't wanna scene".
This review of Catch-22 (1970) was written by Jerry N on 19 Jan 2008.
Catch-22 has generally received positive reviews.
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