Hal Ashby was a big deal in the 70s. From his first directed film “The Landlord” in 1970 through “Being There”, the fantastic (albeit, slightly overrated) comedy that is anchored by an amazing performance by Peter Sellers.
But, why did i choose the 70s only? I chose the 70s only as they were when he was at his peak and i didn’t want to sit through some pretty rough films in the 80s.
I had seen “Shampoo” and “Being There” in the past year and felt they were a warm hug of a films. I liked “Harold and Maude” enough in college but didn’t care much( this one i rewatched it for this and well you will see my opinion on it shortly)
Ashby was a great actor’s director. He directed several actors to Oscars and many to nominations. As an actor who is a fan of humane drama/comedy, it was something i wanted to delve in now that I have the maturity to enjoy his work.
Without further adieu, here is my list:
7. Bound for Glory (1976) This film is important for the history of film. It was one of the earliest Stedicam shot films and won the Oscar for Cinematography (and best original score). David Carradine is solid in this film but, man this was a slog for me. Sure, it’s beautiful but this was a long 2 hours and 27 minutes for me. I just didn’t care about the story of Woody Guthrie and the music was fine just the pace was glacial and for me it held up the least for the whole 70s films of his.
6 Shampoo (1975) This is a film I respect more than I enjoy. I find the election of 1968 to be fascinating. I find the performances strong, especially Warren Beatty (as a Jay Sebring type) is magnetic. I don’t find Beatty magnetic in most of his work. For me there is a gulf between Bound for Glory and this. I enjoy Shampoo as a film. There are some strong performances (Lee Grant won an Oscar for this film after being nominated for “The Landlord”). I respect this a lot
5. The Landlord (1970). This film was shot in my neighborhood (Park Slope) and it has changed a lot. This film is actually about that. It is a satire about Gentrification. Beau Bridges is great and so is the whole cast. The film holds up fine. This just was a good time capsule with some interesting comedy and stellar acting. After watching the film, i visited the apartment the film is set in, to say the change in the neighborhood was dramatic is an understatement and It was interesting to experience the history of my fine neighborhood.
4. Being There (1979) This is where it becomes very hard for me to seperate these 4 apart. Before watching 2 of these films, i was convinced that “Being There” was going to be my number one. I believe Hal Ashby made 4 fantastic films, 2 good ones and 1 that exists in the 1970s. Man, i really don’t like “Bound for Glory”. “Being There” is such a unique story that is almost impossible to believe and if it wasn’t for how amazing Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine are (and Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden, hell everyone) this would not work. If I was a different person, this would be the whimsy movie of my heart. It’s close. But, if I want whimsy this isn’t it (“Stranger Than Fiction” is it for me there). This film deserves all of the acclaim it has.
3. Coming Home (1978) I watched this film 5 hours ago. Honestly, this may go higher and if it does, I will make this list reflect that. This film got Oscar nominations for every acting category (winning for Actor and Actress for Voight and Fonda respectively). This film is patient and works to develop a realistic story that makes me so happy it was told and that I have witnessed it. The soundtrack is fantastic and full of major Vietnam era songs (lots of Beatles and Stones and of course, Buffalo Springfield) This movie builds the relationship between Jon Voight and Jane Fonda expertly. Bruce Dern, wow….just wow, is the epitome of “Good Soldier” in this film for Voight’s “Radical and Disabled Soldier”. But, both are effected by the war in similar ways. The love scenes in this are beautifully shot and honestly everything works in this film for me.
2.Harold and Maude (1971) Simple perfect love story. It is the only time I have loved the music of Cat Stevens. Ruth Gordon, whom I never really got bitten by the bug for until recently (saw Rosemary’s Baby recently), is perfect. Bud Cort is truly funny. This movie is a touching awesome love story. I can write a lot about this but, I feel like, eh…you love this movie or you haven’t seen it….see it.
1.The Last Detail (1973) This poster is what made me interested in starting the project. It has the longest tagline and is just simply Jack Nicholson staring at the camera. Randy Quaid and Nicholson both got Oscar Nominations, and I believe both should’ve won. This is a simple “Transport the prisoner” film with a lot of respect for the characters. It feels real. It is incredibly vulgar for 70s standards and there is a lot of heart. Quaid basically does the same role in the future in Kingpin (something I realized today). This movie works for me differently than I thought it would. I found myself riveted and couldn’t stop watching and thinking about it even after it ended. Do yourself a favor, see “The Last Detail”
And with that, I am looking for another director to do a deep dive with. Any recs, please let me kno2.
Thanks
