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The Last Detail (1973)

post #1 of 10
6/1/10 at 8:33pm
Thread Starter 
Probably my favorite Hal Ashby movie? I haven't seen Harold and Maude in a while, but I can only imagine that it wouldn't blow my mind like it did when I was 17.

I think one of the things I miss most about 70's movies like this is the ability to be about blue-collar characters without ever condescending to them, or aiming for the lowest common denominator, a la Larry the Cable Guy. The last movie I saw do that well was Adam Corolla's "The Hammer".

I really needed to be reminded why Jack Nicholson is such a widely appreciated actor. He owns every second of this movie. Randy Quaid is perfectly cast and watching Otis Young use his blackness and military position to try to get some hippie pussy is hysterical and perfect. "The Man says to go, you got to go. We all live in The Man's world."

This movie really is a lot of fun, just a really enjoyable and entertaining film.
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post #2 of 10
6/1/10 at 8:40pm
And it's on Netflix Instant in HD! Great flick, but it's been years. Need to check it again.
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post #3 of 10
6/1/10 at 9:08pm
Well said, Patrick. Brilliant Ashby. My favorite scene is the drunken hotel male bonding. Quaid innocently calling Jack Mr. Badass. Always cracks me up. I think it was Strax who compared the movie to Midnight Run. As much as I love that movie, it's the original flavor that I keep returning to most.

<And the ending is a killer. Classic 70's. First time you see it, you almost can't believe it>
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post #4 of 10
6/1/10 at 9:40pm
Quote:
I think one of the things I miss most about 70's movies like this is the ability to be about blue-collar characters without ever condescending to them, or aiming for the lowest common denominator, a la Larry the Cable Guy. The movie I saw do that well was Adam Corolla's "The Hammer".
What are your thoughts on the independent movies in the 'neo-neorealism' scene that cover blue-collar characters, like 'Trucker' and 'Frozen River,' and some of David Gordon Green's work?
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post #5 of 10
6/1/10 at 9:58pm
I love the hell out of this movie, this is up there with Cuckoos Nest, Chinatown and Five Easy pieces and some of Jacks best 70's work. God damn the man was a powerhouse in that decade. Just electric.

I never cease to giggle near the end when Quaid runs off on the guys and after they catch him it just cuts to him looking utterly miserable.

One of the films I love to cite to prove the 70's was the best damn decade Hollywood had.
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post #6 of 10
6/1/10 at 10:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RathBandu View Post
What are your thoughts on the independent movies in the 'neo-neorealism' scene that cover blue-collar characters, like 'Trucker' and 'Frozen River,' and some of David Gordon Green's work?
I'd also recommend Ramin Bahrani's films: Goodbye Solo, Chop Shop, and Man Push Cart are all available to stream.
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post #7 of 10
6/1/10 at 10:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RathBandu View Post
What are your thoughts on the independent movies in the 'neo-neorealism' scene that cover blue-collar characters, like 'Trucker' and 'Frozen River,' and some of David Gordon Green's work?
I have to say, I haven't seen many of these films. I like neo-realism as a concept but I think I'm often afraid to watch these types of movies because I'm afraid they'll be boring. Which is a stupid reason to not watch a movie, especially since Killer of Sheep, which is about as low-key and plotless as you can get, is one of my favorite films ever.

I think one problem is that to get into these movies, I have to fall under their hypnotic rhythms and meditations, which is a problem if you're trying to watch it on Netflix Instant in your internet browser with a bunch of other tabs open. I'm trying to re-train myself to watch longer and slower-paced movies after almost a year of catching up almost exclusively on television shows, but it can be difficult.
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post #8 of 10
6/1/10 at 11:38pm
Definitely one of the greats. Ashby's second-best (after Being There).

I AM THE MOTHERFUCKING SHORE PATROL MOTHERFUCKER. I AM THE MOTHERFUCKING SHORE PATROL. GIVE THIS MAN A BEER!

...but I don't want a...

YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A FUCKING BEER!!!!!!
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post #9 of 10
6/2/10 at 2:35am
Just finished watching this, and absolutely loved it.

I think what I loved most about the film is that despite having a lot of things to say about class differences, people in the military, and the attitude towards the military in the 70's, at it's core it's a road comedy about three guys drinking beer and trying to get laid. And the three main actors work so well together, and the dialogue is so perfect, that the film feels natural and never forced.

I also had to do a quick imdb check to make sure that was a Gilda Radner appearance during the hippie chanting scene.
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post #10 of 10
6/2/10 at 2:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erix View Post

[I]I AM THE MOTHERFUCKING SHORE PATROL MOTHERFUCKER. I AM THE MOTHERFUCKING SHORE PATROL. GIVE THIS MAN A BEER!
I break this one out every once in awhile for some board game trashtalking or some other competition between friends. It's the original "I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!"
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