Reviews

An authentically serious, thought, provoking & soul-searching film that, masterfully orchestrates a likely answer, to the age old question, for what becomes of man-kind, when left to himself.

In many ways, this is an atypical film, captivating & compelling, from prologue to epilogue, but a far-cry, for how many define & expect to be entertained.

With this in mind, On The Beach '59, is a most difficult film to genuinely (e.g. Accurately) critique, as the subject matter is woefully sobering, while the overall thematic-direction, will leave most viewers gobsmacked, w a feeling of hopelessness & an eery desperation. But arguably, if this is the intended 'art-form' of a film's Writer & Director, to convey a particular feeling, sentiment or mindset, shouldn't its review be reflected accordingly? That stated, perhaps this film deserves a solid ten!

Those involved in this movie, were either exceptional illusionist, or they were able to somehow bend the laws of nature & simultaneously, circumvent universal law, by fitting a square peg into a round hole.

In all sincerity & candor, this film had the raw-potential, of being something really special & ultimately, connect w humanity, in a deeply profound & emotional way. The estimated $24 million budget for this film, isn't necessarily 'chump-change', but then again, it's still a far cry, from Hollywood's ever-increasing consideration, for a healthy 'median budget'.

But w respect to filming-budgets in general, (as a scapegoat for poorly developed scripts), suffice to say, lot better movies have been produced w much less financial backing, while conversely, much larger funded pictures, have done quiet worse.

Nevertheless, there's is a lot of shared blame & finger-pointing to go around in this production of 'On A Wing & A Prayer', yet perhaps the core fault-line, originates from a deafening-silent, lack of foundation or {rooted} structure, from which many decent films, tap into their momentum/direction. Frankly, it was often difficult to discern Quaid's (character) acting. If he, was playing an (on the wagon), struggling alcoholic that, somehow got caught up as a passenger, riding 'right seat' in a private twin engine airplane, when simultaneously, he started going through withdrawal & also, the airplane's only pilot died of heart failure! ..... or did Quaid's character have some undisclosed medical condition & forgot to bring his medication?

Granted, the writers/directors here, are allowed poetic license, to get & be creative w character-development, but in the real-world, (of any non-pilot individual), ending up behind a yoke & avionics of a complex twin-engine aircraft that, exhibits such anxiety & radical behavior, is going to react accordingly, and much less, not be able to land a twin-engine plane.

For example, anyone that's watched a Dennis Quaid Movie, within the last decade, knows very well that, he is a monstrous talent & an A+ actor. Yet, Quaid seems (directionally) lost in this film, resulting in what appears to be overacting, most likely a byproduct of poor directional acumen.

For lack of a better analogy, back in the 80's & early 90's, the advertising agency for SAB Miller, parent company to Miller Beer, crushed a grand slam home run ad, using (pun-intended), the refreshing ad tagline 'Less is More', {referring of course, to beer-drinkers getting more taste, from a beer that's less-filling!

Subsequently, a 'less is more' approach here, may have fallen short of the necessary runtime, to qualify the movie accordingly; however, the movie, 'On A Wing A Prayer', took in excess of 100 minutes, to tell (at best), an hour (or so) long story.

In all sincerity, one VERY positive aspect about this movie, is how the director/product we, was able to incorporate, actual 'live' footage of the family & individual family members that, were aboard the actual aircraft. Perhaps watching the last 20 minutes of this movie, is all that's needed, to help setup this movie's epilogue, when the live footage of the real family members involved, start to appear on screen!

Frankly mortal-words, would fall ineptly short, in any effort, to weave any legitimate tapestry of thought or imagery that, might somehow, provide proper & honest insight, for such a grand visual...

'Gone With The Wind', {along w perhaps, but a few other such notable & profound classical productions}, should ultimately remain without (formal) critique? And, in the process,, humanity take solace, in the overarching message that, ALL Americans are to be free.

Interesting Insights: Only Beau Wilkes (i.e. Child-actor Mickey Kuhn, being held in the arms of his father, Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard), while Beau's mother & Ashley's wife, lie dying in her bedroom), is now, the only living actor that remains, from one of the greatest films of all time - 'Gone With The Wind'...

Interestingly, for her supporting role in this film, it was Oscar Nominee, Olivia de Havilland, (up until her death, 7/26/2020) that, maintained the position, of the longest surviving cast member, for this film.

As of this writing, (9/26/2020), merely 2-months after Ms. De Havilland's actual death {at the age 104}, would it appear that, the child-actor-Mickey Kuhn, is now, its last-known surviving cast member.

And, as if to validate the old-saw that, 'truth is stranger than fiction', Kuhn's role in Gone w The Wind, was {....drumroll please....}, to play the role of de Havilland's only son. Kuhn, would survive de Havilland in film, and many a decade later, would also, survive her, in real life too.

[...{Btw, for John Wayne fans, it was none other than Mickey Kuhn that, played the role of a young teenage Matt Garth - (aka: Montgomery Clift), in the film, Red River}...]. And, although he is still living today, Kuhn's film career, seemed to fad away, almost in lockstep w his fleeting youth...]

...Mickey Kuhn update: Last known (former) survivor & cast member of the 1939 epic film: 'Gone with The Wind': Kuhn passed away, November. 20, 2022 at 90 yrs. Old...

As of the drafting of this review (3/17/20), Sherry Jackson, the then 11-year old daughter of Steve Williams (aka John Wayne), is still living (and approx., 77).

And candidly sharing, it's quiet tempting to personally hire a good private investigator, to try & locate Ms. Jackson's current residence, and then, draft a kind & endearing, letter, requesting her, to be fully forthcoming, and state for the record, if either The 'Duke', Donna Reed or she, had ever discussed or, actually had (or ultimately developed), any theory or notion, as to, the direction that each of their roles, were to take the movie (both individually and collectively)?

In the movie world of abject make believe, what possible plot, would call for a small child, in the closing screen, to willfully abandon her devoted & loving father & essentially, walk off into the proverbial sunset, locked arm-in-arm, w the same female truant-officer (Donna Reed) that, had spent, the lion's share of the film, attempting to demonize the father and negatively affect his custody

Yet, in the end, she falls in love w this 'troubled' father (and his daughter), but while the credits begin to scroll up the screen, viewers are tossed a curve-ball & left sucking their thumb, as they watch JW, as he & the now retired & beloved priest, walk off into one direction, while the child & truant officer, skip off in opposite direction.

What the?

Having grown up on westerns, so far back that, many a time would one of us brothers, fall asleep, w our head, in our father's lap, only to be awaken once it was over & long past our bedtime.

So, now at the age of 57, it's a fairly safe assumption that, spotting a quality western, isn't all that difficult to do.

'The Glory Guys', is such a film, full of exceptional acting, and at least the makings of a storyline that, initially grabs one's attention.

But sad to say that, once the cavalry starts riding off into the sunset & the final credits, start rolling up the silver-screen, don't be alarmed, should the past (almost two-hour-film), leave some bewildered & perplexed, w regard, to the film's overall plot & loosey-goosey moral

Frankly, this film has to many exceptionally good actors that, bring their 'A' Game to the movie set & refuse to try & call in their performance