The Long Goodbye

I really enjoyed the first 2/3 of Robert Altman's The Long Goodbye.

Elliot Gould's suave, carefree character appeared to have taken notes from Humphrey Bogart. His witty, mumbling dialogue created a realistic, humorous tone from the beginning of the film. The opening scene with Marlowe (Gould) going to great lengths to feed his cat was fantastic, it could have been a great short piece in itself. This scene setup the first 2/3 of the film, if only it stayed on this track throughout the piece.

As far as quick, witty dialogue goes, the film reminded me of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. An equally mysterious, quirky film from the beginning of the 2000's. The main characters from both films put on this facade of being worry free and nonchalant in sticky situations, when deep down they do care. They are all business. In the case of Marlowe, just when the audience feels they've figured this character out, he goes and murders the same friend he's been trying to bring justice to.

The last act seemed to detach me from the story I had first been so intrigued by. It seemed to have switched gears, a new character arose and it was one I didn't enjoy following anymore. I just wanted to see more smart talking and smooth wit to detectives, criminals and ladies that many modern day heroes are known for. Oh Elliott Gould, you are so smooth.

week 1.

The idea of blogging wasn't the most appeasing internet phenomenon to me. But, as I collected my thoughts for the first week of our 70's film class, most of the negative feelings seemed to fade away.

We began our first class with a clip of Richie Haven's emotionally charged Freedom from the Woodstock documentary. Several times I've seen this and never does it not resonate something to me. His voice, his passion, his eyes that never break open, him being lost in his music with millions of fans watching as he belts out 'freedom.'

The first film we watched was one that was released at the birth of the 70's decade. Bob Rafelson's Five Easy Pieces starring the young Jack Nicholson. It wasn't until the third act that i really began enjoying this film. After I accepted the nature and form of it did I like the ending. It followed the typical 1970's film criteria- internal struggle of main character, an anti-hero as the protagonist, less than climactic, a slice of life and an ambiguous ending. It wasn't until I let go of all notions to modern movies did i appreciate this film for what it was. I LIKE 'unhappy' endings, endings that don't wrap up the story in a nice little package where the guy gets the girl and bluebirds sing joyous tunes outside the window as the two lovers lay holding each other in perfect, eternal harmony.