paul@phs.UUCP (Paul C. Dolber) (09/21/84)
John ("I hate everything") Simon reviewed Clint Eastwood's "Tightrope"
in the October 5 "National Review." Herewith, a few quotes:
"It's a bit of a red-letter day when an American movie even
flirts with maturity, and 'Tightrope' certainly flirts with
it. A trifle meretriciously, awkwardly, even immaturely, but
it does try... for a significant statement and for a story
that can accomodate such a statement."
"Clearly, 'Tightrope' does a balancing act among three, not two,
possibilities. It could have been a piece of soft-core pornography,
and at times, alas, it is. It could have been a mere thriller, and,
regrettably, it is that to a large extent. But it also could have
been, and happily is in part, a searching examination of a psyche
losing its balance, with distinct implications for the rest of us."
"'Tightrope' makes some pertinent comments tersely and devastatingly."
"Eastwood, not exactly known for his histrionic range, manages to
convey a troubled and troubling character without making him too
antipathetic or too sympathetic."
"'Tightrope' is a film that points away from the American cinema's
perennial adolescence toward an incipient adulthood."
There's a great deal more to the review, and I recommend the remainder
of it (and all of Simon's reviews, 1 or 2 per issue) to the interested.
For those not familiar with Simon reviews, note: The above is about the
most generous I've seen him about any movie in quite a while.
Regards, Paul Dolber @ DUMC (...duke!phs!paul).