Review of The Manchurian Candidate (1962) by Jeremy S — 23 May 2010

Few movies look BETTER now than when they were released, but John Frankenheimer's adaptation of Condon's novel-- and PoMo version of Hamlet-- is an exception. In fact, I'd posit it's a film we're only now grasping in its fullest dimensions. It's genuinely electric, shocking and downright brilliant, working miraculously as both a super-charged thriller and a darker-than-dark satire that out-Hegels Hegel and out-Freuds Freud. Few films are sublime. This one is-- and will be for years & probably decades to come. Great performances, too, BTW, from Harvey, Sinatra and especially Lansbury. Savour, too, the cinematography, which was years ahead of its time.

Further point: any of you whom have read by me reviews will know I very, very seldom give five stars. Infer from that what you will. Furthermore, if 75% Facebook troglodytes say they are "Not Interested" in seeing this, you can surmise comfortably thereto as well.