Review of Marathon Man (1976) by Alistair N — 28 Jan 2008
Is it safe? Awakening all those squeamish fears of dentists this striking thriller is an effective, if somewhat heartless, piece of film making. Its biggest weakness is Hoffman's over mannered performance, with the actor seeming keenly smug to give the impression he is superior to the material.
The best sequences belong to Olivier as the Nazi villian - the best for me seeing this weak, scared but still vicious and immensely dangerous, old man walking down a New York street. Scheider and Devane also do fine work as intelligence operatives working in 'shades of grey'.
A classic, though still flawed, this remains a film that is completely watchable.
This review of Marathon Man (1976) was written by Alistair N on 28 Jan 2008.
Marathon Man has generally received positive reviews.
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