Comments on: Hard to Like Protagonists From 1970s Cinema http://thecinemaguy.com/hard-to-like-protagonists-from-1970s-cinema/ Film Reviews, Articles, Video Clips, and Lists Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:02:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: The Cinema Guy http://thecinemaguy.com/hard-to-like-protagonists-from-1970s-cinema/#comment-875 The Cinema Guy Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:10:21 +0000 http://thecinemaguy.com/?p=2384#comment-875 Travis - Tb was most definitely dedicated, and yes, he was "quite a fellow", indeed. Definitely one of the most interesting dates in cinematic history -- somewhat similar to the one in The Graduate, only more uncomfortable... Thanks for mentioning Network.. satire is a tricky thing, but written by Paddy Chayefsky (Marty; Hospital), and directed by Sydney Lumet (who too often gets overlooked) the film, although a little "speechy," is like Dr. Strangelove in it's restrained frenzy. Chayefsky was most definitely a prophet of sorts when it came to the media and our society in general, clearly envisioning the direction TV was taking. Great cast too - Dunaway, Beatty, Holden, Finch, Duvall... the Faye Dunaway charcacter Diana Christensen was particularly interesting. Even in 1976 there were very few roles in mainstream films showing women as independent, sexually liberated professionals. Travis - Tb was most definitely dedicated, and yes, he was “quite a fellow”, indeed. Definitely one of the most interesting dates in cinematic history — somewhat similar to the one in The Graduate, only more uncomfortable… Thanks for mentioning Network.. satire is a tricky thing, but written by Paddy Chayefsky (Marty; Hospital), and directed by Sydney Lumet (who too often gets overlooked) the film, although a little “speechy,” is like Dr. Strangelove in it’s restrained frenzy. Chayefsky was most definitely a prophet of sorts when it came to the media and our society in general, clearly envisioning the direction TV was taking. Great cast too - Dunaway, Beatty, Holden, Finch, Duvall… the Faye Dunaway charcacter Diana Christensen was particularly interesting. Even in 1976 there were very few roles in mainstream films showing women as independent, sexually liberated professionals.

]]> By: travis http://thecinemaguy.com/hard-to-like-protagonists-from-1970s-cinema/#comment-866 travis Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:45:20 +0000 http://thecinemaguy.com/?p=2384#comment-866 Hi Cinemaguy, TB was a man of great vision, guts, and singular focus. He was quite a fellow; he knew how to impress a young lady out on a date, he could put pen to paper and articulate his deepest thoughts, he was a man of tremendous will and discipline and he had a true American work ethic sometimes working up to 18 hours a day in the cab. I can't help but recall the scene where in order to help hone his body into the perfect fighting machine he holds his fist out over an open flame above his stove (if only todays athletes had his discipline they wouldn't need to resort to steroids ). I appreciate the comparison to TB but I am unworthy. I would have to say that my number one favorite protagonist from the 70's however is not TB but it is the Howard Beale charachter played by Peter Finch in the movie Network. I believe Network is truly one of the best movies ever made as well as prophetic. The foresight that this film exhibits is best displayed in the boardroom scene when Howard is scolded for interfering with the primal forces of nature. I am not certain if Howard Beale is a true antihero though because to me he is just a hero. He is a man who like RFK spoke out and "when he saw wrong tried to right it" and just like RFK he met his demise ultimately as a result of speaking truth to power. Thanks, Trav Hi Cinemaguy,

TB was a man of great vision, guts, and singular focus. He was quite a fellow; he knew how to impress a young lady out on a date, he could put pen to paper and articulate his deepest thoughts, he was a man of tremendous will and discipline and he had a true American work ethic sometimes working up to 18 hours a day in the cab. I can’t help but recall the scene where in order to help hone his body into the perfect fighting machine he holds his fist out over an open flame above his stove (if only todays athletes had his discipline they wouldn’t need to resort to steroids ). I appreciate the comparison to TB but I am unworthy.

I would have to say that my number one favorite protagonist from the 70’s however is not TB but it is the Howard Beale charachter played by Peter Finch in the movie Network. I believe Network is truly one of the best movies ever made as well as prophetic. The foresight that this film exhibits is best displayed in the boardroom scene when Howard is scolded for interfering with the primal forces of nature.

I am not certain if Howard Beale is a true antihero though because to me he is just a hero. He is a man who like RFK spoke out and “when he saw wrong tried to right it” and just like RFK he met his demise ultimately as a result of speaking truth to power.

Thanks,
Trav

]]> By: The Cinema Guy http://thecinemaguy.com/hard-to-like-protagonists-from-1970s-cinema/#comment-841 The Cinema Guy Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:03:14 +0000 http://thecinemaguy.com/?p=2384#comment-841 Well, I can't speak to Travis' similarity with the Bickle character, but certainly Scorcese/Deniro/Schrader et al did a fantastic job of painting a pretty scary portrait. Bickle is such a recognizable personality type - an angry, frustrated, and tragically limited individual stewing in his own juices, but raging at the inequities of life... he's the kind of guy who's a conspiracy theorist, a misogynistic, xenophobic Fox news watcher who's dying to rage against the machine, but with no clear understanding as to why he feels the way he does. This was back when both Deniro and Scorcese were at the top of their game. Incredible cinematography with bleeding colors - lots of great performances - Jody Foster; Albert Brooks, Peter Boyle, et al. A violent, dizzying classic arising out of the very dark depths of Paul Schrader's mind . Well, I can’t speak to Travis’ similarity with the Bickle character, but certainly Scorcese/Deniro/Schrader et al did a fantastic job of painting a pretty scary portrait. Bickle is such a recognizable personality type - an angry, frustrated, and tragically limited individual stewing in his own juices, but raging at the inequities of life… he’s the kind of guy who’s a conspiracy theorist, a misogynistic, xenophobic Fox news watcher who’s dying to rage against the machine, but with no clear understanding as to why he feels the way he does. This was back when both Deniro and Scorcese were at the top of their game. Incredible cinematography with bleeding colors - lots of great performances - Jody Foster; Albert Brooks, Peter Boyle, et al. A violent, dizzying classic arising out of the very dark depths of Paul Schrader’s mind .

]]> By: Jake http://thecinemaguy.com/hard-to-like-protagonists-from-1970s-cinema/#comment-840 Jake Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:52:57 +0000 http://thecinemaguy.com/?p=2384#comment-840 I particulary enjoyed Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver. The previous comment by Travis reminded me of this violent misanthrope from 1976. "Someday a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets." I particulary enjoyed Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver. The previous comment by Travis reminded me of this violent misanthrope from 1976. “Someday a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets.”

]]> By: The Cinema Guy http://thecinemaguy.com/hard-to-like-protagonists-from-1970s-cinema/#comment-729 The Cinema Guy Fri, 29 May 2009 04:24:22 +0000 http://thecinemaguy.com/?p=2384#comment-729 Thanks Travis. I happen to be a huge fan of misfits in general, and perhaps in no period in film history were they given better play. It's easy to think of other films not noted here - late sixties efforts like Cool Hand Luke and the Graduate... and also, The French Connection; The Long Goodbye; The Conversation; Carnal Knowledge; King of Marvin Gardens; Klute; Harold and Maude, and many others, with characters who stand outside the mainstream. In many cases they practically beg you not to like them. It should be noted that some credit must be given to the actors who came of age post Brando who didn't have traditional movie star looks - in a previous time they would have been relegated to character actor status, but the stars aligned and guys like Duvall; Hackman; Hoffman; Pacino; Deniro; Nicholson; Dern; Segal; Gould; and Sutherland joined the Newmans and Redfords of the world... While there have been plenty of quality American independents featuring quirky/outsider characters in the past thirty some odd years, somehow it often feels like these films try a little too hard to paint their oddball portraits. Thanks Travis. I happen to be a huge fan of misfits in general, and perhaps in no period in film history were they given better play. It’s easy to think of other films not noted here - late sixties efforts like Cool Hand Luke and the Graduate… and also, The French Connection; The Long Goodbye; The Conversation; Carnal Knowledge; King of Marvin Gardens; Klute; Harold and Maude, and many others, with characters who stand outside the mainstream. In many cases they practically beg you not to like them. It should be noted that some credit must be given to the actors who came of age post Brando who didn’t have traditional movie star looks - in a previous time they would have been relegated to character actor status, but the stars aligned and guys like Duvall; Hackman; Hoffman; Pacino; Deniro; Nicholson; Dern; Segal; Gould; and Sutherland joined the Newmans and Redfords of the world… While there have been plenty of quality American independents featuring quirky/outsider characters in the past thirty some odd years, somehow it often feels like these films try a little too hard to paint their oddball portraits.

]]> By: travis http://thecinemaguy.com/hard-to-like-protagonists-from-1970s-cinema/#comment-727 travis Fri, 29 May 2009 02:37:05 +0000 http://thecinemaguy.com/?p=2384#comment-727 ... well done. I particularly liked your commentary on 70's lead charachters " misfits that drew us into their altered reality" … well done. I particularly liked your commentary on 70’s lead charachters ” misfits that drew us into their altered reality”

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