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I've owned a VHS copy of this film for many years (originally released in 1993), and have just ordered a DVD, now that it is FINALLY available. This review will focus on the movie itself, and I'll add any comments about the DVD quality after I get it (hopefully soon!). I'm sure that in any format, this film will still rate 5 stars.
I'm not sure how I even first heard of this film, as it passed through the theatres largely unnoticed, and unfortunately also very unheralded, in '93. Surprising to me now that it still hasn't reached a very wide audience, in view of the relative paucity of reviews posted to this site (for both the VHS and DVD versions). Films of this quality regularly get hundreds of reviews on amazon.com, when they are widely-known. But if you're discovering it for the first time from reading this review (or others on this site), my best advice for you is: order it now, sight unseen. You won't be sorry, and my guess is it will become one of the favorite movies in your DVD library.
Watching this again the other night, this film still resonates with unusual sensitivity and feeling for it's principal characters. The plot is simple, focusing on two 70+ retirees living in southern Florida somewhere (maybe Miami, though I don't believe it's ever specified exactly in the movie), who while seemingly complete opposites, and most unlikely to develop any kind of relationship, become fast friends, and rediscover something of enduring value, about themselves.
Richard Harris plays Frank, a former sea captain, who clearly hasn't lost much, if any, of his salt over the years. He's driven by maintaining his physical strength and appearance ("I was a sight to see, Helen....I was a sight to see."), routinely loud, somewhat rude, and profane regardless of his audience (men, women, or children), and clearly estranged/abandoned/somewhat forgotten by his family, particularly his son (whom we never see throughout the entire movie). When I first saw this movie, Frank so reminded me of my own father, right down to the worn out old orange shorts he wears every day, that I knew this would be a movie that would be dear to my heart for the rest of my life- my deepest regret being that my own father wasn't around to share this movie with. Harris' characterization of this totally likeable, unlikeable 70 to 80 year old (his age changes, according to his audience, throughout the film)firebrand may well be the best acting role in his long, distinguished career. It's a moving, memorable, richly layered performance.
Robert Duvall is Walter, who manages to convincingly pull-off his role as a Cuban retiree, and ex-barber. Walter is a fastidious, relentlessly old-fashioned, polite gentleman, with a platonic crush on a young waitress (Sandra Bullock, in one of her earliest roles) at a local cafe he frequents for his daily lunch of self-made bacon sandwiches. I know what you're thinking: Robert Duvall as a CUBAN? But just sit back and enjoy this one- he is completely lost in this role, and it's a brilliant acting performance.
Clearly, when Walter and Frank meet in a park for the first time, you have little sense that they will find any common ground, and their initial few encounters back-fire as you would expect. But Frank is a persistent kind of guy, and slowly but surely, a relationship grows, supported by several other memorable bit roles by the excellent supporting cast.
And that supporting cast is outstanding, with accomplished actresses like Bullock, Shirley MacLaine (who plays Helen Cooney, Irish landlady of the seaside motel where Frank resides), and Piper Laurie (who plays Georgia, a prim and proper widow who frequents the daily movie matinees, in her attempt to fill in her loneliness, and whom Frank tries valiantly to charm, with varying degrees of success). Micole Mercurio has a small role as another waitress at the cafe where Bullock (Elaine) works, and even this bit part by a relatively unknown actress is spot-on perfect, and heart-felt. There are no wasted lines or unnecessary scenes with any of the characters in this film, and while there also is no grand action of any sort, the intelligent, thoughtful screenplay (story written by Steve Conrad, and expertly directed by Randa Haines)is mesmerizing. Only small problem for me was that, at 123 minutes, I just wish this movie was LONGER. But as it is, the pacing is probably perfect, and each character is given just enough screen time to leave a memorable impression.
I might add that the cinematography is singularly outstanding, too- numerous scenes with obviously carefully chosen backgrounds, and some scenes where the framing of the characters on the background of the scene look like artwork: sailors running through the rain in front of a cafe at night, reminded me of an Edward Hopper painting; fireworks exploding in an evening sky over the ocean, while Frank and Walter watch from a beach; even a simple shot of Frank standing in an alley, where the rubble in the background almost seems arranged with a certain art-like precision- this film is just loaded with brilliant cinematography shots. Expert movie-making, to say the least- and remarkably subtle, too- I've only just noticed some of these things, after watching this film for maybe the tenth time over the years.
The soundtrack (by Michael Convertino) is worth buying for itself (I have a copy), and is simply beautiful, and greatly enhances each scene in the movie, and lends an additional layer of dignity and tenderness to the lead characters, in several memorable scenes. You'll know them when you see them, and no spoilers here, but the haircut scene, and the fireworks by the lake ("feed the fish"), are two such moments, and in my mind, are examples of consummate movie-making, where all the elements come together (acting, directing, cinematography, musical score). The result is nothing short of magical.
I give this movie my highest recommendation. It has passed the ultimate movie test for me: that even after multiple viewings, over many years, it still resonates with feeling. It's a pure joy to introduce someone to it for the first time, too, as I did with a daughter the other night. There is some profanity (from Frank, as you'd expect), and one scene with sexual suggestion (between Frank and Helen), but none of these were such that I would be uncomfortable watching with my children. It's a movie with very mature themes, and probably not likely "exciting" enough for a very young audience, but the overriding humanity of this film will likely touch anyone, of any age.
5+ stars for buying this excellent movie, in any format, and pick up a copy of the soundtrack CD while you're at it, too.
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