"...tick... tick... tick" is a wonderful, uplifting movie about racism and hatred in a small Southern town. I cannot believe that is the film is not more popular or acclaimed. Jim Brown is perfect as the first black sheriff in a rural town, facing resistance on all sides. The whites despise him for the color of his skin and the black community considers him a sell-out. George Kennedy is excellent as the displaced former sheriff who understands better than anyone what Brown is up against.
The movie has moments of suspense, drama, gritty violence, and genuine humor. The best line in the movie comes when Kennedy is beating his former deputy in the back room while the current deputy sits at his desk reading a magazine. Brown walks in and asks what's going on and, without missing a beat, the deputy replies "police brutality" with a wide grin on his face! The supporting characters are all great- they genuinely look like they've all been roasting under the Southern sun all their lives. And the pressure-cooker opening sequence in which the townspeople literally fry an egg on the sidewalk fits in perfectly with the ticking on the soundtrack and the stylized opening credits.
Okay, the movie isn't perfect. The cinematography dates the film, making it look much older than 1970, and the finale is a little sudden, mainly because ALL of the good ol' boys have a change of heart instead of just a brave few. That said, this is an inspiring, entertaining movie with its heart in the right place. "...tick... tick... tick" builds the tension AND its characters and delivers a powerful, satisfying message about tolerance, bigotry and the strength of the human spirit. DO NOT miss your chance to see this movie!
GRADE: A-
The movie has moments of suspense, drama, gritty violence, and genuine humor. The best line in the movie comes when Kennedy is beating his former deputy in the back room while the current deputy sits at his desk reading a magazine. Brown walks in and asks what's going on and, without missing a beat, the deputy replies "police brutality" with a wide grin on his face! The supporting characters are all great- they genuinely look like they've all been roasting under the Southern sun all their lives. And the pressure-cooker opening sequence in which the townspeople literally fry an egg on the sidewalk fits in perfectly with the ticking on the soundtrack and the stylized opening credits.
Okay, the movie isn't perfect. The cinematography dates the film, making it look much older than 1970, and the finale is a little sudden, mainly because ALL of the good ol' boys have a change of heart instead of just a brave few. That said, this is an inspiring, entertaining movie with its heart in the right place. "...tick... tick... tick" builds the tension AND its characters and delivers a powerful, satisfying message about tolerance, bigotry and the strength of the human spirit. DO NOT miss your chance to see this movie!
GRADE: A-