Review of The Last Detail (1973) by Ryan V — 25 May 2014
Jack Nicholson and Otis Young play a pair of seamen who are ordered to escort a young sailor (Randy Quaid) to a military prison. Along the way, they begin to sympathize with the mentally-challenged kleptomaniac and they eventually decide to jeopardize their mission by taking a few detours in order to show the kid a good time before he goes up the river.
Director Hal Ashby uses a lot of dissolves in this anti-authoritarian screed, but the most distinctive aspect of this film is easily the fiery performance given by Nicholson. There are many parts of this film that could've only been captured in the gristly period of 1970's maverick cinema.
The Last Detail is not nearly as essential as contemporaries like "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", "Taxi Driver", or "Network", but it's a notable movie for any cinephile enamored of this era.
This review of The Last Detail (1973) was written by Ryan V on 25 May 2014.
The Last Detail has generally received very positive reviews.
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