Review of Cool Hand Luke (1967) by Brian B — 13 Jan 2011

Probably one if the few, if not only, "classics" I add to my huge list of movies. It shows why Paul Newman was not only a great actor, but also a visionary actor. This is the indie cinema of the 60's for me. For all the American films from that decade, this tells the most "off-the-beaten-track" stories I've seen. Hell, there are not many stories being told today that can rival it as a film about humanity, faith and manhood.

This is the perfect example of a jailhouse pic with so much more to it. It touches on philosophy, faith, north vs. south, challenging authority...it's an onion with many many layers, much like Moby Dick. Luke is the ultimate, unintentional anti-hero. He is the embodiment of the quote "the candle that burns at both ends bright, lasts only through the night. But ah my friends and oh my foes, gives off a lovely light.".