tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post1454883626227383789..comments2024-03-23T21:46:50.843-04:00Comments on the passionate moviegoer: making a case for Logan's "Ensign Pulver" joe baltakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-6034411777357022672014-06-01T08:16:39.393-04:002014-06-01T08:16:39.393-04:00Correction...
The previous post should have read ...Correction...<br /><br />The previous post should have read - <br /><br />"Matthau is marvelous in a performance that seems largely inspired by the comedy of SHELLEY Berman."<br /><br />I guess my mind was morphing him with the memory of the late, great Sandy Baron.<br /><br />Not a bad hybrid, that... <br />Thomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-57153869456663632252014-06-01T07:35:36.837-04:002014-06-01T07:35:36.837-04:00Here's some controversy for you...
For some t...Here's some controversy for you...<br /><br />For some time, I've been of the opinion that 'Ensign Pulver' is a more successful film than it's predecessor ('Mister Roberts') simply because as a modest early 60s comedy, it doesn't promise much, but delivers a great deal. For one thing, the film is genuinely funny. Matthau is marvelous in a performance that seems largely inspired by the comedy of Sandy Berman. Also, the climactic surgery scene may not be very sophisticated, but I can still quote most of the dialogue word for word.<br /><br />Now consider 'Mister Roberts,' in which the confusion behind the camera (Ford, LeRoy, Logan?), and the fact that Lemmon manages to steal the film out from under Fonda causes the whole project to go slowly out of focus. As a result, the pathos of the film's final moments almost seems phoned in from another picture. In contrast, the climactic scene between Ives and Walker in 'Ensign Pulver' is remarkably effective, and reveals a depth to the main character that was scarcely imaginable when the story began.<br /><br />I don't mean to demean 'Mister Roberts.' From a cultural standpoint, it's certainly an important film. However, I think that 'Ensign Pulver' is grossly underrated, and deserves, at long last, to be appreciated on its on terms. <br />Thomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-83800309162240995182014-05-29T12:49:59.928-04:002014-05-29T12:49:59.928-04:00Talk about a forgotten film. I avoided this movie ...Talk about a forgotten film. I avoided this movie for decades, but now I have a desire to see it - if only for Al Freeman, Jr. and Diana Sands. Kylenoreply@blogger.com