My 1st time seeing this film. I had heard it was a classic. I knew of the stars, the director , even who did the musical score! So I was hyped. I'm glad I finally seen it for myself.
Director Michael Mann's signature is all over this film. And Tangerine Dream was the perfect group to do the score. I had the album way before I had the movie! James Cann as 'Frank' did an amazing turn as the safe-cracking ex-con who just wants to do one more job and go straight. Tuesday Weld as 'Jessie' was very good also as his girlfriend then wife because she wanted to go somewhere also since she was literally going nowhere herself.
Willie Nelson had only two scenes but the 1st scene is still very much talked about. I, having seen it for the 1st time, felt a little uncomfortable about it at first. But then thinking Willie's 'Okla' is dying because of his heart condition and he is scared to die inside prison can somewhat explain the intensity of the scene. Here is his "son"(Caan's 'Frank') telling him that he wants to go straight and get married and have kids, yet Willie won't be around to see none of that because of his condition. Very sad and very tragic. So this whole talk of that scene having 'Homosexual' tendencies is complete ignorance and seen from a very macho-like stance. Why is it that two normal, straight, heterosexual men cannot care about each other so much especially if their is history between them is like a father and son type of relationship? Like I said it caught me off-guard at first because I did not know the dynamics of the characters and what and who they were to each other. A very intense and emotional scene. Willie did a excellent job and James trying to hold back the tears was very heartfelt.
Nice turn by James Belushi as Caan's friend 'Barry'.(This was his film debut) Very low-key performance from Belushi. Perfect balance to Caan 's character cause Caan was so hyped-up and intense and very low patience level all the time. Like a gasket waiting to blow. Like he did in the adoption scene and the 'Attaglia'scene with Tom Signorelli( who by the way did a great job as a slimy thug of the Mafia)
Robert Prosky did an excellent turn as the Big-Boss of the Mafia.(His film debut at 50+!) He seemed like a harmless grandfather-type but underneath he was a ruthless, back-stabbing, cold-blooded killer. His scene with Caan when he tells him "I own you basically so do what I say or else" speech is like wow! Chilling and priceless!
Dennis Farina plays one of Prosky's henchmen was to me somewhat wasted but ironically interesting also since in real life, he was a former Chicago police officer. he doesn't have much to do but be just another one of the Mafia's thugs.(Also his film debut).
Bruce A. Young (in his film debut) was credited in here as a Mechanic #2. His role role so minimal, I did not even see him! I remember him always in Risky Business(1983) as 'Jackie' the transsexual prostitute that visits Tom Cruise and as the chilling 'Jingles' in An Innocent Man(1989) terrorizing Tom Selleck in prison.His last film was in 2009. Hasn't done anything since.
Another great character actor who made his debut in here also as Mechanic #3 ,was John Kapelos. His role also so small, I did not even see him! Michael Mann used him again only this time on his TV show 'Miami Vice' in a episode of 1985. I remember him from countless roles in the 80's and 90's but mostly for his role in the Cult TV-series 'Forever Knight' as Det. Don Schanke from 1989-95. Nice to know and see that this talented actor's career is still going on strong to this very day.
Yet Another great character actor also made his film debut with this film (he participated in a TV mini-series prior), Mike Genovese. He didn't have much to here but was constantly in the scenes when Caan was on the phone , since he was the one giving him the phone! His role was as the 'Bartender at the Green Mill' Mike was a regular on TV series's; 'Falcon Crest'(1985) season, 'The Flash'(1990-91) season and 'E/R' in various episodes thru-out (1994-2000) His career is also still going very strong to this very day.
Also in this film was another great character actor, J. Jay Saunders as a Doctor. He is the one who gives the bad news to Caan in the scene where Willie's 'Okla' has passed away. He was in various TV series's in the mid 70's to the mid 80's. I last saw him in House Party(1990) as Tisha Campbell's dad. His last film was in 1994. He has not been seen since.
A great character actor I did not recognized because he was so young-looking and had hair, was Michael Paul Chan! He was the 'Waiter at Chinese Restaurant' Nice little bit for this still going on strong talented actor. He even had a few lines of dialog with Caan & Weld.
And last but certainly not least, the great William L. Petersen made his debut also in this film as a 'Katz & Jammer Bartender' I, to tell you the truth did not see him. But I guess a lot of other people neither cause he did not work again till 4 yrs later! He starred in To Live and Die in L.A.(1985) and Michael Mann used him again in a starring role no less in the Cult classic, Manhunter(1986) we all know he went into TV immortality as Gil Grissom in 'C.S.I.for 11 seasons! He also did the voice of Grissom for the video games based on the series.
1 out of 2 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Tell Your Friends