Review of The Paper Chase (1973) by Matthew B — 03 Dec 2007
This is a woefully jaded film held together by strong central performances. John Houseman is intimidating, sour, and, indeed, Oscar-worthy as the Stalinesque Professor Kingsfield (though one can only imagine what the eminent Paul Scofield, who was an early choice for the part, could have done with the role).
Timothy Bottoms is decent but hardly praiseworthy as the eager James Hart; some of the supporting roles (Graham Beckel's Ford, Craig Nelson's supercilious Bell, Edward Herrmann's regal Anderson, James Naughton's sympathetic Brooks) are more skillfully presented.
The John Williams score is embarrassingly dated, and James Bridge's directing philosophy is little more than insipid.
This review of The Paper Chase (1973) was written by Matthew B on 03 Dec 2007.
The Paper Chase has generally received positive reviews.
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