Tag: Frank Tidy

THE MEAN SEASON (1985)

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Directed By: Philip Boros

Written By: Leon Piedmont 

Cinematography: Frank Tidy 

Editor: Duwayne Dunham

Cast: Kurt Russell, Mariel Hemingway, Joe Pantoliano, Andy Garcia, Richard Masur, Richard Jordan, Richard Bradford, William Smith 

When a teenager is shot at the beach, a journalist from The Miami Journal is sent to cover the story. He’s called by the murderer and told there’ll be four more.

This movie took me by surprise mainly because it was a Kurt Russell-starring thriller made in the 1980s that I had never heard of before. So it was fascinating to watch.

For its time this film seems to pass the mister and it’s not bad, but it doesn’t feel like anything that special either. Especially watching it in modern times. We have seen many movies and even television episodes of shows that tackle the same subject matter of journalistic ethics.

The film is filled with character actors some early in their careers others late. So it keeps it exciting watching them at work.

The film offers a few red herrings before generally just giving us the identity of the serial killer in the third act.

Whereas it becomes a cat-and-mouse game after the killer kidnaps the reporter’s girlfriend after he feels betrayed by the reporter.

The film chooses to examine the serial killer and his killings over the morality of what the reporter is doing and more becoming part of the story than reporting on it. Which would have been a stronger film. Exploring the newspaper industry and its culture at the time. 

The film even includes the old cinematic trick of having the newspaper swirl and spin before revealing the headline superimposed over characters. It also has the going to retire after one last job cliche. 

Screenwriter Christopher Crowe sued an alias for his credit on this film. Where you wonder if it’s because it differed from his original screenplay or was more of a side project job he did and didn’t want this to injure his career. 

I wish I could say this was one tries to make a dent in the weekly box office and was soon forgotten. if this film was made quickly and shoddily. There was real care and work put in throughout. 

The film is a good potboiler and time waster but never quite strong enough to be that memorable. Never quite making its mark. Despite its cast. 

Grade: C+

SWEET LIBERTY (1986)

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Written & Directed By: Alan Alda
Cinematography: Frank Tidy
Editor: Michael Economou

Cast: Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Michelle Pfeiffer, Bob Hoskins, Saul Rubinek, Lise Hilboldt, Lillian Gish, Lois Chiles, John C. McGinley, Lynne Thigpen 

Michael has written a scholarly book on the revolutionary war. He has sold the movie rights. The arrival of the film crew seriously disrupts him as actors want to change their characters, directors want to re-stage battles, and he becomes very infatuated with Faith, who will play the female lead in the movie. At the same time, he is fighting with his crazy mother who thinks the Devil lives in her kitchen, and his girlfriend who is talking about commitment.

When it comes to Alan Alda. A little is a lot though I am still a fan of the series he starred in M.A.S.H.

He comes off too smug throughout even when trying to be earnest. As A know all. As like him, the film feels like it is speaking down to others and considers itself too intellectual.

This film comes off as Woody Allen lite. It feels too general but too sharp and kind of whitewashed.

Wonder if at the time this was seen as biting humor. Watching it now feels basic.

The film has a light touch with a little depth. Which moves along breezily. As it is full-on comedic 

Lilian Gish as Alda’s mother seems here more to work and to be a big name in the cast.  As her character is another problem for the lead character to juggle. Whose storyline goes nowhere. Not to mention makes his plights more personal. 

Michael Caine is effortlessly charming and aloof. He manages to stay in control of his growing set of affairs. Yet never breaks a sweat.

Bob Hoskins is in full New York City accent mode as a screenwriter trying to make it big. 

The film In its early scenes is more about the behind-the-scenes movie-making comedy. That feels charmed with itself. Before becoming more of an intellectual farce of sorts.

The score is kind of hammy. As this film feels more made for video. As it’s less cinematic and more small-scale simple. 

If not for some language and sexy scenes. This film is clean enough to be a TV movie with a movie star cast. 

Despite my misgivings, the film Does have its charms as a film about late to middle age angst 

This film would make a great companion piece with the film STATE AND MAIN

Grade: C+