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The Stunt Man (Limited Edition)Rating:
Release Date: 25 February, 2003 Retail Price: $14.98 OUR Price: $12.99 You SAVE: $1.99! Cast: Complete Cast (16 total) |
The Stunt Man (Limited Edition) Reviews
"I *am* the movies!"
Barbara Hershey delivers that line (above) very early in THE STUNT MAN, and she is saying a great deal. She is the old lady who magically transforms into a beautiful young woman, the fantasy, the dream girl at the end of the rainbow. She is the reason we go to the movies.
This is a work of art about the creation of a work of art. The work in this case happens to be a movie, and--as with all great works of art--there is one obsessed, cruel, megalomaniacal genius at the helm. Eli Cross (Peter O'Toole) is the most vivid depiction of a Hollywood director ever captured on film. He is a true patriarch, playing father/lover/drill sergeant to his cast and crew, and they all love/hate/fear him for it. Anyone who's ever been near an actual film set can tell you how accurate the character is.
But what makes this film just about the last word on the subject is Richard Rush's brilliant blurring of fantasy and reality. That, after all, is the main occupation of those who toil in the "Dream Factory" of show biz. Note the many references to ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Steve Railsback (who is terrific) is Alice, and Eli and his mad crew are what he finds on the other side of the looking glass. He is running from bleak reality, straight into the arms of an instant family: father (O'Toole), uncle (the screenwriter played by Allen Goorwitz), brother (fellow stuntman Chuck Bail), and love interest (Hershey). And they all may be planning to kill him on camera, just to make their movie even better. Now, that's Wonderland--and that's Hollywood!
Few films before or since this 1980 gem have given us such a true, terrifying, hilarious view of the process of manufacturing dreams. Truffaut's DAY FOR NIGHT is the only one I can think of that comes close. How tall is King Kong? As tall as we want him to be. If you love the movies, you'll love THE STUNT MAN.
"When you think you know what is going on, you really don't!"
"The Stuntman" is one of those films that having watched it once your not totally sure what you just experienced. Having watched "The Stuntman" several times there are at least three plotline levels to this movie.
First is a "Rambo" like Vietnam Viet on the run movie.
Second is a an World War 1 Antiwar Comedy.
Third is Movie about Stunt work and Stuntmen.
Forth I'm still not positive what happened to "Burt" was he murdered or killed or did he escape to LA.
Fifth is a guided tour of "Alice in Wonderland" film within a film with in a film.
What I mean by that is after multiple viewings you suddenly realize that the first three plotlines have blended into one plotline and your Point of View has becomes more distant. What the film "is" a unique look at filmaking magic that leaves you always questioning reality.
Director Richard Rush is making a film about making a BAD movie. So it is extremely differcult to differentiate between genius/chaos.
Chuck Bail is a God!
Steve Railsback begins the film looking like Charlie Manson.
He cleans up well. Still he is an interesting choice as our hero. One keeps on expecting "Charlie" to kill everyone any minute
Barbara Hershey is an actress we do not see enough in films.
She plays the neurotic actress rather well.
Peter O'Toole portrayal of Eli Cross is outstanding nears but never goes over the top.
By the way King Kong the First was 18 inches tall!
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