When it came to "The Great Santini's" title character, Wilbur "Bull" Meechum (annoyingly played by Robert Duvall) - I couldn't identify with this demanding, psychotic man nor with his screwy actions either.
IMO - If this story about out-of-kilter family dysfunction had been billed as a twisted comedy, then, yes, it would've had some entertainment value.
But, as 1979's "The Great Santini" stood (with Robert Duvall chewing up the scenery through the obsessions of his one-note character) I found that the cringe-worthy aspect of this story never allowed me to muster up even the slightest bit of sympathy for any of the decidedly pathetic characters portrayed in this picture.
IMO - If this story about out-of-kilter family dysfunction had been billed as a twisted comedy, then, yes, it would've had some entertainment value.
But, as 1979's "The Great Santini" stood (with Robert Duvall chewing up the scenery through the obsessions of his one-note character) I found that the cringe-worthy aspect of this story never allowed me to muster up even the slightest bit of sympathy for any of the decidedly pathetic characters portrayed in this picture.