Blue Collar

Far from an obscure film, but one of the many gems from the 70's that doesn't seem to get the credit it's due. It touches on a little bit of everything. Race, class, and even good old fashioned friendship.

If you haven't seen it or if it has been a while (as it was for me), BLUE COLLAR tells the story of 3 auto workers (Harvey Keitel, Richard Pryor, and Yaphet Kotto) with various financial worries who steal a safe from their union's headworkers. Instead of some quick cash the trio ends up with more than they bargained for inside of the safe.

All 3 of the leads are great. Everything I've read about the movie makes the shoot sound like a bloodbath between Keitel, Pryor, and Kotto but they sure got it together once the cameras rolled. Pryor stands out in particular. He brings his signature comedic touches to several scenes but is also more than ready to play his character's darker moments to the hilt.

The movie's last shot stays with you for a while.

Aside from this movie in particular, I thought this would be a good time to bring up Paul Schrader in general. Along with COLLAR I recently saw a movie of his that I'd never even heard of, PATTY HEARST. Natasha Richardson had the title role and was amazing in playing Hearst from her kidnapping through her trial. Good supporting work from William Forsythe and Ving Rhames as some of the members of the SLA who convert Hearst from kidnap victim to "revolutionary."

Schrader has been all over the map during his career. AFFLICTION and AUTO FOCUS are both superb but I never bothered with DOMINION. Has anyone ever seen a film he did called FOREVER MINE? Sounds awful but I'm a Liotta fan so even the slightest recommendation might be enough to convince me to track it down.

The Kotto scene is brutal. It was one of the few scenes I remembered back from when I saw COLLAR from years ago. Why didn't he try to break the window earlier?

I have seen HARDCORE but it's another one I should check out again. I wonder if I'd be able to take it seriously. I remember Opie and Anthony used to always play sound clips from that movie on their radio show. Namely the scene where George C. Scott auditions "Big Dick Black" and of course the scene where Scott watches the movie ("Turn it off. Turn It Off. TURN IT OFF!). I have a feeling it would be tough to view that scene in the context for which it is intended, but it would interesting to try.

I liked THE YAKUZA but so much of the film is shot with interiors. I believe it was filmed in Japan but it didn't really make good use of that oppurtunity. Though a good film, and good Mitchum performance, nonetheless.