Review of The Long Goodbye (1973) by Real G — 19 Mar 2004

The Long Goodbye is a disappontment to me. I'm a huge Altman fan, which many of you know, and this film is suppose to be one of his greats. I found it slightly above average for Altman.

first let me get what I like out of the way. I really dig the look of the film. I love the "washed out" look the flash photography gives the film; it adds a nice sense of realism. I also dig Philip Marlowe as a character; he's just cool. I also liked the cat scenes alot and how they reflect, and foreshadow the ending. Gould does a really good job. I also like the genre subverison that Altman does, transplanting a film noir detective story into a 70's new age lifestyle, ramphant nudity, and hippies setting.

what I don't like is the hosiptal scene and it makes the third act really, really drag. I just don't see the need for it. Also, the guy the played the friend does a pretty poor job; I didn't find him believable at all.

but by far my biggest problem is the song the Long Goodbye. first, I don't really like the song; it's to melodramatic. second, Altman uses it way, way, way too much; it seemed like anytime a piece of music happened in the film it was that bloody song. This became distracting, and annoying as it is jarring to the overall realistic tone of the film.

The Butterfly Effect.

mild spoilers.

perfect example of a film that works on the idea more than the realization. the premise, a guy going back in time and changing things in order to fix them, but making things worse, is a very cool idea, and the film plays with the implications pretty good. the first act is the strongest as it sets the stage and question how the past effects the future. I know a lot of people hate the first act, because of the violence, and tone, but it is needed. you don't risk you life to fix a bad date. the Kutcher character needed that level of trouble for motorvaition (sp?). furthermore, most of the "offensive" violence occurs off screen. the second and third acts are riddled with contrivences (i.e the father being scared of Kutcher), plot holes (too many to choose from) and overly dramatic direction (and acting to a lesser extent from kutcher). yet in tone and theme the film remained interesting, and more importantly consistent.

then the ending wrecked that...

I hate the ending. it is an utter betrayal of the film. First it's one major plot hole. all of a sudden Kutcher can use home movies, from happy times? say what!?! second, every time Kutcher went back and changed something, he unintentionally changed something else. this theme is the central theme, and every action he took should have yielded unintended results. it still could have been "upbeat." third, the ending suggest Kutcher made the right choice. this too goes against everything the film was saying. everything prior was cause and effect, choice wasn't part of the equartion, and never should have been.

Miracle.

Miracle is an average film. everything, save the hockey scene (which were great) was pretty standard overall. Russell through did a great job.

The Perfect Score.

it's not even a movie really, but a public service message. a very blanet, stupidly formed one at that.

EuroTrip.

so inane, asinine, stupid, and crass that it is a laugh riot. a true guilty pleasure.