"Man of Iron" is not a bad film, but it should have been a lot better. The basic idea is very good but the writing of the characters leaves a bit to be desired.
The film is set in a factory. Chris Bennett (Barton McLane) is in charge of the men doing all the production work. However, his boss loves Chris' work and how the men adore him and decides to put him in charge of everything--not just the machinists but EVERYTHING. Now Chris is a big-time executive and his assistant, Ed Tanahill (John Eldredge) is secretly furious as HE expected that he'd be given Chris' new job. So, covertly and cleverly Tanahill undermines his boss while outwardly appearing to be a loyal man.
One way that Tanahill undermines Chris is by changing him into a new person. Chris is earthy and a hands-on worker. But Tanahill introduces him to the country club set and tells Chris he needs to act more like an executive. In addition, when the employees come to Chris with their concerns, Tanahill dismisses them and does his best to breed discontent. So how is all this going to work out? If you care, see this film.
I really liked this plot and the film easily could have earned a 7. However, Chris' character was to one-dimensional and a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! When he's working with the men, he's practically perfect in every way. When he's distracted, he's an annoying butt-head! A role like this COULD have helped McLane to play more leading men parts--but instead he's today mostly known as a bad guy. As for Eldredge, he was effective--playing a well-mannered weasel with gusto!
Overall, the film manages to take a good idea and make it not so good. Not terrible but at best this film is a time-passer.
The film is set in a factory. Chris Bennett (Barton McLane) is in charge of the men doing all the production work. However, his boss loves Chris' work and how the men adore him and decides to put him in charge of everything--not just the machinists but EVERYTHING. Now Chris is a big-time executive and his assistant, Ed Tanahill (John Eldredge) is secretly furious as HE expected that he'd be given Chris' new job. So, covertly and cleverly Tanahill undermines his boss while outwardly appearing to be a loyal man.
One way that Tanahill undermines Chris is by changing him into a new person. Chris is earthy and a hands-on worker. But Tanahill introduces him to the country club set and tells Chris he needs to act more like an executive. In addition, when the employees come to Chris with their concerns, Tanahill dismisses them and does his best to breed discontent. So how is all this going to work out? If you care, see this film.
I really liked this plot and the film easily could have earned a 7. However, Chris' character was to one-dimensional and a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! When he's working with the men, he's practically perfect in every way. When he's distracted, he's an annoying butt-head! A role like this COULD have helped McLane to play more leading men parts--but instead he's today mostly known as a bad guy. As for Eldredge, he was effective--playing a well-mannered weasel with gusto!
Overall, the film manages to take a good idea and make it not so good. Not terrible but at best this film is a time-passer.