1962
Directed by John Frankenheimer
For some reason, I love movies that have freaky moms. I find scary mothers more frightening than anything in the horror genre. Probably why I still can't take a shower in a shower that has a curtain. In any case, this was a great movie: chilling, exciting, and well acted.
This is the story of Raymond Shaw, who is brainwashed into becoming an assassin any time someone asks him to play solitaire. We also get a great performance out of Sinatra as Captain Marco, Raymond's platoon commander that begins to suspect that something is seriously wrong with him.
I haven't seen a really good movie in awhile and now that I have I am having trouble organizing my thoughts. Like I said, the acting is just fantastic: Angela Lansbury as Raymond's sociopathic mother is truly frightening. This isn't meant to be a horror film, but I certainly got freaked out when Mrs. Shaw would come on the screen. We also get great set design; even looking at the above picture you see that the whole film is kind of surrealist; it gives the impression that you aren't even safe in your own mind.
And, of course, there is a political message here as well as the right winged politicians who wildly accuse random people of communism in order to elevate themselves in politics are shown to be complete psychopaths.
A fantastic movie and I will definitely have to check out the remake.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
The army doctor in this film was the first time a black actor was cast for a role that wasn't specifically written for a black person.
An incestuous relationship between Raymond and his mother is heavily implied.
Trailer:
I may have to watch this movie again. I remember it being creepy...in an interesting and good way. Definitely worth watching and seeing what I think of it 20 years later.
ReplyDeleteI agree, a great political thriller! And a welcome relief from all of the foreign and art films that critics feel compelled to add to these lists. I demand more John Wayne!
ReplyDeleteHaha The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is coming up!
ReplyDeleteYeah, this was a great surprise, and a totally freaky mum. On a list of worst movie mums Mrs. Shaw would be pretty high.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! After Carrie's mom and Joan Crawford.
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