Reviews

I watched this for Emory Cohen and I wasn't disappointed, he's phenomenal in it. The movie itself though is another story. Well acted with a host of stars all doing their best, it's biggest problem is that it's still just Hollywood's take on boys in reform school. There are way too many clichés, the over the top mean guard, the warden who wants to help, a weakling for him to be a hero for, the other gang members he'll win over, none of it is very believable. In fact some of the scenes are straight out of fantasyland. Still it's an engaging movie because he is front and center and he's a wonderful actor. If you are a fan of his, this is a must watch.

I love Clint Eastwood as a director but it's obvious that in this , his first feature as director , he still had a lot to learn. The story is well done and interesting enough , as long as Jessica Walter is on screen. Problem is, the film needed editing and includes a very long musical section that adds nothing. I believe it was popular back then to include entire song sequences, but did they really need to do the entire "first time ever I saw your face". There is some great dialogue in the film and then all of a sudden it becomes a kind of music documentary of the Monterey Jazz festival. The film feels kind of long and boy the fashions and hairstyles of 1971 were horrible ! Still when Jessica was on screen the film soared and the movie does contain some interesting shots. For his part, Clint isn't as good as she is and his character comes across as a ruggedly handsome dimwitted fool. He would get better at both acting and directing but this is Jessica Walter's film.

As much as I loved this film, found it very entertaining and completely enjoyable, as much as I agree with others that the critics were completely wrong, I did have one problem with this film and it was Rami Malek and the prosthetic teeth. Was it really necessary ? His performance naturally is essential to the film but the film is wonderful in so many ways with many great performances and all I saw was Rami with false teeth playing Freddie Mercury. As a lad I had seen Freddie and Queen perform in NYC and I just didn't feel Rami got him or his speaking voice. He sounded like an old lady and the real Freddie did not. Still it's a great film, not a 10 but a generous 9 and far better then the critics made it out to be.

Gaga was the one to get all the press for this film but she really doesn't deserve it. Honestly reviewing this in 2021, she is never going to be a big movie star and this movie is proof. Yes she is OK in it but her people got her all this underserved publicity in it when the real standout here is Cooper. Not only is his singing impressive but he is a genuinely great actor. Too bad she has the showier role. The movie is overall very entertaining although shows signs of heavy editing and re-filming, her looks and weight seem to fluctuate wildly in the film. Supposedly it was reworked quite a bit to make it to release and I believe it considering what I see onscreen. Maybe he needs to stick to just acting, and he is the best part of this, but she needs to forget a Hollywood big screen career.

Bradley Cooper is such an under-rated actor. I can't stand DeNiro and because of him I almost didn't watch this. Jennifer Lawrence is OK but very good in this and the film is genuinely an enjoyable watch. There is real chemistry between the 2 leads , I only had to stomach through the scenes with DeNiro who needs to retire already. He stinks up every film he is in but this movie is too good for him to ruin. See it for Bradley, who is at his hottest best.