Review of The Long Good Friday (1980) by Sarah C — 16 Jul 2011
Ah, the 1970s. (Take no notice of the release date, it was filmed in 1979.) Based on appearances, I think I prefer the world back then. Simpler, less cluttered. Cooler cars. And funnier.
The sight of Bob Hoskins striding through the airport to the flamboyant soundtrack brings a smile of joy to my face. It's also a real treat to see the London of back in the day.
A movie very much of its time, depicting the end of one era and the beginning of a new one, born from the shadow of Thatcher's new Britain. Hoskins' character, Harold Shand, is a man blinded by hubris who never recognises that the old ways of doing business are just that. And when he does realise what a big pile he's landed in, it's too late to claw his way back out of it.
It's not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination but it's exactly because it's not perfect that I enjoy it so much.
This review of The Long Good Friday (1980) was written by Sarah C on 16 Jul 2011.
The Long Good Friday has generally received very positive reviews.
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