Columbo: Lovely But Lethal (Jeannot Szwarc, 1973) 5/10
The founder (Vera Miles) of a cosmetics company murders a former lover (Martin Sheen), a chemist, in order to get a miracle cream that instantly removes wrinkles. She also trades bitchy barbs with a rival cosmetologist (Vincent Price) and bumps off his blackmailing secretary (Sian Barbara Allen). Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) solves the crime after being his usual annoying self. The plot is rather bland but Miles is very good as the clever murderer. Her best scenes are with Price who is sadly underutilized.
Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
Taste of Honey (Tony Richardson, 1961) 8/10
One of the seminal films in the cycle of "kitchen sink" dramas of the British New Wave during the early 1960s. A young girl (Rita Tushingham) is virtually abandoned by her blowsy vulgar mother (Dora Bryan) who decides to go off with her boyfriend (Robert Stephens) leaving the young girl to fend for herself. Lonely and sad she has a brief affair with a black sailor, gets pregnant and ends up living with an equally sad young homosexual (Murray Melvin). The ugly and drab surroundings highlighted by grimy streets, factory chimneys and sluttish individuals were all hallmarks of these dramas made memorable by exciting new actors who all gave extraordinary performances playing intense working class people. Here plain looking Rita Tushingham (who won an award at Cannes) distinguishes herself by giving an extraordinarily likeable performance which helped cement her stardom in a stream of memorable film appearances during the 1960s. Dora Bryan steals every scene as the deplorable, selfish and crude mother deservedly winning a Bafta award. The "kitchen sink" drabness may all seem very outdated today but the actors make it work.
One of the seminal films in the cycle of "kitchen sink" dramas of the British New Wave during the early 1960s. A young girl (Rita Tushingham) is virtually abandoned by her blowsy vulgar mother (Dora Bryan) who decides to go off with her boyfriend (Robert Stephens) leaving the young girl to fend for herself. Lonely and sad she has a brief affair with a black sailor, gets pregnant and ends up living with an equally sad young homosexual (Murray Melvin). The ugly and drab surroundings highlighted by grimy streets, factory chimneys and sluttish individuals were all hallmarks of these dramas made memorable by exciting new actors who all gave extraordinary performances playing intense working class people. Here plain looking Rita Tushingham (who won an award at Cannes) distinguishes herself by giving an extraordinarily likeable performance which helped cement her stardom in a stream of memorable film appearances during the 1960s. Dora Bryan steals every scene as the deplorable, selfish and crude mother deservedly winning a Bafta award. The "kitchen sink" drabness may all seem very outdated today but the actors make it work.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
Kapoor and Sons (Shakun Batra, 2016) 9/10
Funny, moving and highly emotional story about a dysfunctional family - aren't they all?
- centered on a visit by two brothers to their parents' home when their grandfather (Rishi Kapoor, covered in prosthetic makeup) suffers a heart attack. The brothers' relationship is strained - Rahul (Fawad Khan) is the golden boy who has done well in life and is the apple of his parents' eye while Arjun (Sidharth Malhotra) is the perpetual screw-up who suspects that his older brother's success was somehow at his expense. The parents (Rajat Kapoor and Ratna Pathak) have an equally strained relationship, mired in financial problems and constantly snapping at each other with hints of infidelity in the air. Lack of communication by all the family members results in a lot of festering wounds. Alia Bhatt plays the joyous "lifeforce" - a neighbor - who attracts the attention of both the brothers and even she hides great sorrow under a facade of joviality. The family is clearly treading on a minefield which finally explodes during the old man's 90th birthday celebration as various lies are exposed in very embarrassing ways. This is a story about "life" - could be ours - as the wonderful screenplay creates characters and situations which appear all too real - the overlapping dialogue (like in a Robert Altman film) and the slick editing gives the film an immediacy. The influence of Karan Johar (he is one of the producers) is evident throughout - a plea for family togetherness despite hysterical turmoil and tears. There is also a marvelous tribute to Raj Kapoor's classic film " Ram Teri Ganga Mailee" via his son Rishi Kapoor's character - the lecherous and fun loving old man and his obsession for the sexy character played by Mandakini in that film. This is a bittersweet film, superbly acted, about characters going through a lot of pain but presented with a great deal of humor and poignancy. One of the best Bollywood films of the year so far and best to go see it armed with a box of tissues. I had to use napkins with cheese and ketchup smeared on it 
Funny, moving and highly emotional story about a dysfunctional family - aren't they all?
- centered on a visit by two brothers to their parents' home when their grandfather (Rishi Kapoor, covered in prosthetic makeup) suffers a heart attack. The brothers' relationship is strained - Rahul (Fawad Khan) is the golden boy who has done well in life and is the apple of his parents' eye while Arjun (Sidharth Malhotra) is the perpetual screw-up who suspects that his older brother's success was somehow at his expense. The parents (Rajat Kapoor and Ratna Pathak) have an equally strained relationship, mired in financial problems and constantly snapping at each other with hints of infidelity in the air. Lack of communication by all the family members results in a lot of festering wounds. Alia Bhatt plays the joyous "lifeforce" - a neighbor - who attracts the attention of both the brothers and even she hides great sorrow under a facade of joviality. The family is clearly treading on a minefield which finally explodes during the old man's 90th birthday celebration as various lies are exposed in very embarrassing ways. This is a story about "life" - could be ours - as the wonderful screenplay creates characters and situations which appear all too real - the overlapping dialogue (like in a Robert Altman film) and the slick editing gives the film an immediacy. The influence of Karan Johar (he is one of the producers) is evident throughout - a plea for family togetherness despite hysterical turmoil and tears. There is also a marvelous tribute to Raj Kapoor's classic film " Ram Teri Ganga Mailee" via his son Rishi Kapoor's character - the lecherous and fun loving old man and his obsession for the sexy character played by Mandakini in that film. This is a bittersweet film, superbly acted, about characters going through a lot of pain but presented with a great deal of humor and poignancy. One of the best Bollywood films of the year so far and best to go see it armed with a box of tissues. I had to use napkins with cheese and ketchup smeared on it Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
The Runner Stumbles (Stanley Kramer, 1979) 4/10
A radical priest (a very stiff Dick Van Dyke in a rare dramatic role) is banished to a depressed backwater coal mining town full of people suffering economic problems. When the two elderly nuns in the parish contract tuberculoses a young nun (Kathleen Quinlan) is sent by the diocese to teach the school children. She proves to be a breath of fresh air in the community and as a deep friendship develops between the two, gossip in town begins to spread about their relationship. The Rectory's jealous housekeeper (Maureen Stapleton) resents the nun while the Monsignor (Ray Bolger) expresses his concern. When the nun is found brutally murdered the priest goes on trial for the crime (defended by Beau Bridges). Boring, old fashioned and overwrought melodrama with a lot of breast beating and Catholic guilt as the two characters discuss the nature of God and how love can be perceived either spiritually or physically. Quinlan is very good however.
A radical priest (a very stiff Dick Van Dyke in a rare dramatic role) is banished to a depressed backwater coal mining town full of people suffering economic problems. When the two elderly nuns in the parish contract tuberculoses a young nun (Kathleen Quinlan) is sent by the diocese to teach the school children. She proves to be a breath of fresh air in the community and as a deep friendship develops between the two, gossip in town begins to spread about their relationship. The Rectory's jealous housekeeper (Maureen Stapleton) resents the nun while the Monsignor (Ray Bolger) expresses his concern. When the nun is found brutally murdered the priest goes on trial for the crime (defended by Beau Bridges). Boring, old fashioned and overwrought melodrama with a lot of breast beating and Catholic guilt as the two characters discuss the nature of God and how love can be perceived either spiritually or physically. Quinlan is very good however.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
The Sailor From Gibraltar (Tony Richardson, 1967) 8/10
An art house failure and rarely revived film which is quite memorable due to it's eclectic cast, the lyrical camerawork by Raoul Coutard which captures the exotic fable-like nature of the story and the stunning locations - Italy, Greece, Egypt, Ethiopia - used in the film. A bored bureaucrat (Ian Bannen) on holiday with his girlfriend (Vanessa Redgrave), dumps her and takes off with a mysterious widow (Jeanne Moreau) who pines for a former lover from Gibralter. Together they go in search of him on her yacht. That's all the plot there is based on a novel by Marguerite Duras. Along the way they come across an obese Orson Welles, an animated Zia Mohyeddin and a drunk Hugh Griffith all of whom claim to have seen the sailor. The real drama took place behind the scenes. Richardson was having an affair with Moreau which was evident to Redgrave (who was the director's wife at the time and mother of his two daughters) - she later divorced him citing Moreau as co-respondent. Moreau much later denied her affair with Richardson claiming the director imagined it. During the shoot Moreau began an affair with a greek actor causing Richardson to go crazy with jealousy. Welles and Griffith were both drunk during the shoot and Bannen resorted to bizarre behaviour during the shoot as he and Richardson hated each other. Through all this mess they managed to complete the film which remains quite fascinating.
An art house failure and rarely revived film which is quite memorable due to it's eclectic cast, the lyrical camerawork by Raoul Coutard which captures the exotic fable-like nature of the story and the stunning locations - Italy, Greece, Egypt, Ethiopia - used in the film. A bored bureaucrat (Ian Bannen) on holiday with his girlfriend (Vanessa Redgrave), dumps her and takes off with a mysterious widow (Jeanne Moreau) who pines for a former lover from Gibralter. Together they go in search of him on her yacht. That's all the plot there is based on a novel by Marguerite Duras. Along the way they come across an obese Orson Welles, an animated Zia Mohyeddin and a drunk Hugh Griffith all of whom claim to have seen the sailor. The real drama took place behind the scenes. Richardson was having an affair with Moreau which was evident to Redgrave (who was the director's wife at the time and mother of his two daughters) - she later divorced him citing Moreau as co-respondent. Moreau much later denied her affair with Richardson claiming the director imagined it. During the shoot Moreau began an affair with a greek actor causing Richardson to go crazy with jealousy. Welles and Griffith were both drunk during the shoot and Bannen resorted to bizarre behaviour during the shoot as he and Richardson hated each other. Through all this mess they managed to complete the film which remains quite fascinating.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
The Cardinal (Otto Preminger, 1963) 7/10
Extremely long, rambling and episodic film (but manages to maintain interest throughout) as it traces the life of a young Irish-American priest (Tom Tryon), between the two wars, as he rises to become a Bishop and finally a Cardinal. Grandiose religiosity, by way of Catholic guilt, deals with history covering racial prejudice via the Ku Klux Klan, torture, love, lust, abortion, the dreaded Nazis and finally a sense of relief and understanding as our hero is adored and/or tempted along the way by an assortment of females played by Dorothy Gish, Carol Lynley, Jill Haworth and Romy Schneider. Helping him along his "righteous path" are assorted men of clergy played by Cecil Kellaway, Raf Vallone, the superb John Huston who was nominated for an Oscar, Ossie Davis, Burgess Meredith and Chill Wills. The story is filmed on stunning Austrian and Italian locations - the Vatican interior sets are a feast for the eyes with Leon Shamroy's gorgeous colour cinematography highlights each and every scene.
Extremely long, rambling and episodic film (but manages to maintain interest throughout) as it traces the life of a young Irish-American priest (Tom Tryon), between the two wars, as he rises to become a Bishop and finally a Cardinal. Grandiose religiosity, by way of Catholic guilt, deals with history covering racial prejudice via the Ku Klux Klan, torture, love, lust, abortion, the dreaded Nazis and finally a sense of relief and understanding as our hero is adored and/or tempted along the way by an assortment of females played by Dorothy Gish, Carol Lynley, Jill Haworth and Romy Schneider. Helping him along his "righteous path" are assorted men of clergy played by Cecil Kellaway, Raf Vallone, the superb John Huston who was nominated for an Oscar, Ossie Davis, Burgess Meredith and Chill Wills. The story is filmed on stunning Austrian and Italian locations - the Vatican interior sets are a feast for the eyes with Leon Shamroy's gorgeous colour cinematography highlights each and every scene.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
The House on Telegraph Hill (Robert Wise, 1951) 6/10
Italian star Valentina Cortese tries for Hollywood stardom via this gothic noir playing a survivor of the Belsen concentration camp who assumes the identity of a dead friend and arrives in San Francisco to lay claim to her son and inheritence. She falls in love with the child's guardian (Richard Basehart), marries him and moves into the titular mansion. She soon realises her husband and the sinister governess may be upto no good as attempts are made on her life. Old fashioned thriller with more than a few shades from past films like "Rebecca", "Suspicion", The Spiral Staircase" & "No Man of Her Own". Cortese is not bad but could not manage a career in Hollywood. However, she dod manage to nab a husband when she and Richard Basehart got married after this film.
Italian star Valentina Cortese tries for Hollywood stardom via this gothic noir playing a survivor of the Belsen concentration camp who assumes the identity of a dead friend and arrives in San Francisco to lay claim to her son and inheritence. She falls in love with the child's guardian (Richard Basehart), marries him and moves into the titular mansion. She soon realises her husband and the sinister governess may be upto no good as attempts are made on her life. Old fashioned thriller with more than a few shades from past films like "Rebecca", "Suspicion", The Spiral Staircase" & "No Man of Her Own". Cortese is not bad but could not manage a career in Hollywood. However, she dod manage to nab a husband when she and Richard Basehart got married after this film.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
The Karate Killers (Barry Shear, 1967) 4/10
T.H.R.U.S.H. assassin (Herbert Lom) tries to get a scientist's formula but is thwharted by U.N.C.L.E. agents Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Ilya Kuriyakin (David McCallum). Silly film (joining two of the series episodes) is of interest because of the supporting cast - Telly Savalas, Kim Darby, Curt Jurgens, Jill Ireland, Diane McBain and Terry Thomas. The highlight of the film comes early on when Lom interrogates the scientist's widow (Joan Crawford). The intense scene between the two actors is played out as if Crawford is in a scene from one of her old Warner melodramas. Pure camp.
T.H.R.U.S.H. assassin (Herbert Lom) tries to get a scientist's formula but is thwharted by U.N.C.L.E. agents Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Ilya Kuriyakin (David McCallum). Silly film (joining two of the series episodes) is of interest because of the supporting cast - Telly Savalas, Kim Darby, Curt Jurgens, Jill Ireland, Diane McBain and Terry Thomas. The highlight of the film comes early on when Lom interrogates the scientist's widow (Joan Crawford). The intense scene between the two actors is played out as if Crawford is in a scene from one of her old Warner melodramas. Pure camp.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
We Were Strangers (John Huston, 1949) 7/10
Atmospheric but talky and slow film which was Huston's answer to McCarthyism. Set in 1933 Cuba with the people reeling under the despotic rule of President Gerardo Machado y Morales. A woman (Jennifer Jones) joins the Cuban underground led by a visiting American (John Garfield) after her brother is assassinated by the Chief of the Secret Police (a dapper and sleazy Pedro Armendariz). Fascinating look at pre-Castro Cuba (courtesy of backdrop scenes filmed on location) the plot also has heavy doses of Huston's friend Ernest Hemingway. The interesting cast (including Gilbert Roland and Ramon Novarro) makes it worth a watch.
Atmospheric but talky and slow film which was Huston's answer to McCarthyism. Set in 1933 Cuba with the people reeling under the despotic rule of President Gerardo Machado y Morales. A woman (Jennifer Jones) joins the Cuban underground led by a visiting American (John Garfield) after her brother is assassinated by the Chief of the Secret Police (a dapper and sleazy Pedro Armendariz). Fascinating look at pre-Castro Cuba (courtesy of backdrop scenes filmed on location) the plot also has heavy doses of Huston's friend Ernest Hemingway. The interesting cast (including Gilbert Roland and Ramon Novarro) makes it worth a watch.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
The Sound Barrier (David Lean, 1952) 8/10
One of Lean's middle tier films sandwiched between the small intimate classics of the 1940s and the epics he is today famous for. Almost documentary-like film about the early years (fictional) of British Jet aviation encompassed by a melodramatic plot concerning an RAF pilot (Nigel Patrick) who marries the daughter (Ann Todd who was then married to director Lean) of an oil magnate and airplane manufacturer (Sir Ralph Richardson at his stiff-upper-lip best). The dangers involved in testing modern planes are all too evident - it was the first film to use aerial footage of actual jets - with beautifully shot sequences in the air. Superbly acted by all three leads - with Richardson particularly memorable as the bullish and ruthless man determined to break the sound barrier with his newly designed plane - along with telling appearances, in smaller parts, by John Justin, Denholm Elliott and Dinah Sheridan. The film omits to mention that American Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947 (and thus crossing into science fiction territory) assuming that the feat had yet to be achieved. Terrence Rattingan's detailed script was nominated for an Oscar and the film won for it's sound design.
One of Lean's middle tier films sandwiched between the small intimate classics of the 1940s and the epics he is today famous for. Almost documentary-like film about the early years (fictional) of British Jet aviation encompassed by a melodramatic plot concerning an RAF pilot (Nigel Patrick) who marries the daughter (Ann Todd who was then married to director Lean) of an oil magnate and airplane manufacturer (Sir Ralph Richardson at his stiff-upper-lip best). The dangers involved in testing modern planes are all too evident - it was the first film to use aerial footage of actual jets - with beautifully shot sequences in the air. Superbly acted by all three leads - with Richardson particularly memorable as the bullish and ruthless man determined to break the sound barrier with his newly designed plane - along with telling appearances, in smaller parts, by John Justin, Denholm Elliott and Dinah Sheridan. The film omits to mention that American Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947 (and thus crossing into science fiction territory) assuming that the feat had yet to be achieved. Terrence Rattingan's detailed script was nominated for an Oscar and the film won for it's sound design.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
Four Weddings and a Funeral (Mike Newell, 1994) 10/10
Hugh Grant's finest moment on screen - where he first bumbled about in witty style - as the committment phobe bachelor who has a hard time getting to the altar although he keeps attending weddings (and one funeral). He is given superb support by a group of delightful actors playing assorted eccentric friends - Simon Callow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Charlotte Coleman, John Hannah, Anna Chancellor and James Fleet. His object of desire is the lovely Andie MacDowell who is truly a vision in white.The hilarious screenplay ensures that even the smallest part on screen - played by the likes of Corin Redgrave, Jeremy Kemp, Kenneth Griffith, Elspet Gray, Rowan Atkinson, Rosalie Cruthchly, Sophie Thompson - makes a strong mark. A memorable song score on the soundtrack adds to the fun on screen.
Hugh Grant's finest moment on screen - where he first bumbled about in witty style - as the committment phobe bachelor who has a hard time getting to the altar although he keeps attending weddings (and one funeral). He is given superb support by a group of delightful actors playing assorted eccentric friends - Simon Callow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Charlotte Coleman, John Hannah, Anna Chancellor and James Fleet. His object of desire is the lovely Andie MacDowell who is truly a vision in white.The hilarious screenplay ensures that even the smallest part on screen - played by the likes of Corin Redgrave, Jeremy Kemp, Kenneth Griffith, Elspet Gray, Rowan Atkinson, Rosalie Cruthchly, Sophie Thompson - makes a strong mark. A memorable song score on the soundtrack adds to the fun on screen.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
Paranoia (Robert Luketic, 2013) 2/10
Lifeless thriller without any thrills as a young executive (Liam Helmsworth) is hired at a Corporation to spy on his crooked boss's (Gary Oldman) old mentor (Harrison Ford) who runs a rival firm. Both Oldman and Ford are in slumming mode strictly for a paycheck while Helmsworth struts about like the proverbial "dumb blonde" looking cool in designer clothes and living it up in enormous penthouse suites. Boring beyond belief.
Lifeless thriller without any thrills as a young executive (Liam Helmsworth) is hired at a Corporation to spy on his crooked boss's (Gary Oldman) old mentor (Harrison Ford) who runs a rival firm. Both Oldman and Ford are in slumming mode strictly for a paycheck while Helmsworth struts about like the proverbial "dumb blonde" looking cool in designer clothes and living it up in enormous penthouse suites. Boring beyond belief.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
Prescription Murder (Richard Irving, 1968) 8/10
A psychiatrist (Gene Barry) uses his girlfriend as an alibi to murder his wife (Nina Foch) but comes against an annoying LAPD detective - Columbo (Peter Falk) who relentlessly pursues the case. First episode in the long running series which set the "cat & mouse" tone of the plots where famous stars appeared as murderers only to be caught out at the end by the wily detective. Falk is superb as the supposedly befudled cop who in fact cunningly always manages to stay one step ahead of the murderer. Gene Barry makes one hell of a cool adversary in this episode.
A psychiatrist (Gene Barry) uses his girlfriend as an alibi to murder his wife (Nina Foch) but comes against an annoying LAPD detective - Columbo (Peter Falk) who relentlessly pursues the case. First episode in the long running series which set the "cat & mouse" tone of the plots where famous stars appeared as murderers only to be caught out at the end by the wily detective. Falk is superb as the supposedly befudled cop who in fact cunningly always manages to stay one step ahead of the murderer. Gene Barry makes one hell of a cool adversary in this episode.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
Blow-Up (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1966) 10/10
Striking, influential and very cool film set in "Swinging London" of the 1960s about a trendy photographer (David Hemmings) who, although aimless and lonely, has one great passion in life - his photography. The story follows him around London as he photographs his "birds" (Veruschka and other models frolic for his camera wearing outrageous 60s fashion), visits an antique store, stares at two gay men ("queers and poodle"), encounters yet more "birds" (Sarah Miles and two groupies - Jane Birkin & Gillian Hills with whom he has an orgy), visits a pot party, a concert (by the Yards) and watches mimes play tennis without a ball. At the center of the film is a mystery - while photographing a couple in a park he is pursued by the woman (Vanessa Redgrave) who hysterically demands he give her the film and later visits his studio where she tries to seduce him. When he develops the photographs - he blows them up - he discovers that a man with a gun is in the bushes and he may have foiled a murder. At night he discovers a body in the park which disappears the next day. There is no resolution to the mystery. As with all of Antonioni's films it's the stunning images on screen that are the major payoff with Carlo Di Palma's crisply shot scenes contributing greatly to the overall impact of this decadent (although the sex scenes are very tame by today's standards) and memorable film. A masterpiece that still stands up brilliantly today after it first caused a sensation around the world 50 years ago.
Striking, influential and very cool film set in "Swinging London" of the 1960s about a trendy photographer (David Hemmings) who, although aimless and lonely, has one great passion in life - his photography. The story follows him around London as he photographs his "birds" (Veruschka and other models frolic for his camera wearing outrageous 60s fashion), visits an antique store, stares at two gay men ("queers and poodle"), encounters yet more "birds" (Sarah Miles and two groupies - Jane Birkin & Gillian Hills with whom he has an orgy), visits a pot party, a concert (by the Yards) and watches mimes play tennis without a ball. At the center of the film is a mystery - while photographing a couple in a park he is pursued by the woman (Vanessa Redgrave) who hysterically demands he give her the film and later visits his studio where she tries to seduce him. When he develops the photographs - he blows them up - he discovers that a man with a gun is in the bushes and he may have foiled a murder. At night he discovers a body in the park which disappears the next day. There is no resolution to the mystery. As with all of Antonioni's films it's the stunning images on screen that are the major payoff with Carlo Di Palma's crisply shot scenes contributing greatly to the overall impact of this decadent (although the sex scenes are very tame by today's standards) and memorable film. A masterpiece that still stands up brilliantly today after it first caused a sensation around the world 50 years ago.
Re: Last Seen Movie - The Latest Movie You Have Seen; ratings
The Hospital (Arthur Hiller, 1971) 8/10
Hysterical black comedy about bureaucratic inefficiency in a big hospital with the screenplay (which won an Oscar) hilariously skewering the medical profession. Patients are treated in the most callous manner, with doctors and nurses cold-hearted bunglers. The story captures one hectic day at the hospital - the Chief of Staff (George C. Scott) is a suicidal alcoholic as his wife has left him. He's overworked, stressed out, estranged from his kids and impotent. Patients are dying due to wrong treatment, medicines are being stolen and to top it all there is a mad killer running around murdering doctors and patients. One keeps waiting for the Marx brothers to make a sudden appearance through all the lunacy on view. The doctor's impotence gets cured after a one night stand with an ex-nurse (Diana Rigg) whose crazy father is a patient at the hospital. Paddy Chayefsky's funny script pretty much holds up throughout although it's not as perceptive or savage as the one for "Network". Scott is very funny (deservedly got an Oscar nod for his performance a year after he rejected the award for "Patton") and his scenes with Rigg - they both get long monologues - are extremely well played. All the supporting characters, playing patients or nurses, are brilliantly portrayed by the likes of Frances Sternhagen, Barnard Hughes and Richard Dysart. This film is an underrated gem.
Hysterical black comedy about bureaucratic inefficiency in a big hospital with the screenplay (which won an Oscar) hilariously skewering the medical profession. Patients are treated in the most callous manner, with doctors and nurses cold-hearted bunglers. The story captures one hectic day at the hospital - the Chief of Staff (George C. Scott) is a suicidal alcoholic as his wife has left him. He's overworked, stressed out, estranged from his kids and impotent. Patients are dying due to wrong treatment, medicines are being stolen and to top it all there is a mad killer running around murdering doctors and patients. One keeps waiting for the Marx brothers to make a sudden appearance through all the lunacy on view. The doctor's impotence gets cured after a one night stand with an ex-nurse (Diana Rigg) whose crazy father is a patient at the hospital. Paddy Chayefsky's funny script pretty much holds up throughout although it's not as perceptive or savage as the one for "Network". Scott is very funny (deservedly got an Oscar nod for his performance a year after he rejected the award for "Patton") and his scenes with Rigg - they both get long monologues - are extremely well played. All the supporting characters, playing patients or nurses, are brilliantly portrayed by the likes of Frances Sternhagen, Barnard Hughes and Richard Dysart. This film is an underrated gem.