“Days of Thunder” (1990) — Read Along
“Let me drive Harry. I won’t make a fool out of you”
For a Saturday night lark I though I’d post my most popular film video from my Youtube channel, but as positions one and two have already been reproduced here in my “Read Along” series in the shape of “The Man Who Wasn’t There” and “Dogma”, we join Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall in “Days of Thunder” with a whopping (hold onto your socks and hats) 126 views.
126!
So since uploading this video 4 months ago an average of 30 kind souls every month around this upside down world of ours have watched this silly video that although I read my review as near as damn it perfectly, it’s as wooden as a fence post. I say hello to my old friend Matthew partway through and there’s some swans reflecting elephants, and elephants reflecting swans. There’s a melting clock and some weirdo sitting cross legged as though he’s some kind of cult like guru, so wear an extra pair of socks and keep a glass of holy water handy if you do decide to watch the video.
Although released in 1990 this is very much a 1980’s inspired Blockbuster period genre film, with Tony Scott again teaming up with Producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. Simpson actually plays a small cameo in his own produced film, as race car driver “Aldo Bennedetti”. Personally speaking, I’m not a fan of motor sport or indeed Nascar as this film depicts, but that shouldn’t put you off watching this classic as it remains a personal favourite of my teenage years, but more importantly remains a tight, well told story with brilliantly depicted racing scenes and a fun overall film that has aged very little in the 22 years since release.
An all star stellar cast of Tom Cruise (who’s also a credited writer), Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes, Nicole Kidman, Michael Rooker and John C Reilly combine with brilliant direction from Tony Scott and his Director of Photography Ward Russell, who replaces regular collaborator Jeffrey Kimball here. With a sublime, if incidental musical score from Hans Zimmer, the entire film is wrapped in love and affection and you can clearly see this seeping through the entire movie with passion from all involved.
I have minor criticisms: The second act is too baggy and lame in places and yes, the film follows the stereotypical early Tom Cruise career script model of raw recruit becomes a superstar, to losing his star status along with the girl he has won, then lost. Easy criticisms to make, but in this writer’s mind, the film still stands the test of time and remains a fun, if stereotypical romp.
Tom Cruise plays rookie race car driver “Cole Trickle” and is the film’s undoubted marquee star. However, the film’s true star with a brilliant performance is Robert Duvall as “Harry Hogge”, the gnarly “old fart” car designer, builder and racing Pit Boss. Far too many great scenes to mention but the stand outs are when Harry is talking to his car creations as though addressing a loved one or child “you gotta take care of him” he implores a new car. Well shot joyous scenes. The film’s heart and soul, Harry is hilariously funny at times, with an infectious laughter to boot. A great performance from a supreme actor. Together with Cruise, their joint scenes are the first of three joint narrative strands that are key to the success of the film. Their fights, their love and admiration for each other are evident from very early on, as is the mutual respect between a Pit Boss in constant communication with his driver as he competes at the very highest level in breakneck speed races.
A smoke filled track ahead, with car wreckage littering the track:
Harry: “You gotta go high, Cole”.
The second key strand is with fellow race car driver “Rowdy Burns” (Michael Rooker). Two peas in a pod, both ultra competitive drivers who never give an inch, their joint scenes are mainly on the race track itself and in each other’s rear view mirrors (but watch and wait for their wheelchair “race”!). Rooker is excellent as Rowdy Burns, but the key joint scene is as below:
Rowdy Burns: “Listen man. I’ve raced with my legs broke, heart bruised, eyes popping out of my head like they’re on springs”.
The third key narrative strand is with “Dr Claire Lewicki” (Nicole Kidman). A key role, well played, if unspectacular from Kidman, their key joint scene follows a needless race instigated by an irate Cole Trickle with a local taxi driver.
Claire Lewicki: “You shouldn’t be driving a car anyway. Not on a road, not on a race track and not in a parking lot. You’re selfish. You’re crazy. And you’re scared”
Aided by an additional supporting cast including Randy Quaid as Financier “Tim Daland”, Cary Elwes as replacement superstar driver “Russ Wheeler” and the great John C Reilly as Pit Man “Buck Bretherton” and race scenes that are brilliantly captured by Director Tony Scott, this film still stands the test of time. The race scenes in particular are breathless at times, shot via multi cameras at various angles (inside/outside the cockpit, bumper cameras, track side cameras and overhead cameras), plus there’s also a TV broadcast style to both the camera angles and the shots themselves.
In addition to the musical score from Hans Zimmer (Jeff Beck guests on guitar), the film spawned a huge worldwide hit for Maria McKee and “Show me Heaven” and the highly recommended soundtrack includes songs from Tina Turner, Cher, Elton John and a Guns n Roses version of “Knockin’ on Heavens Door”. The stand out track for me is the Spencer Davis Group song “Gimme Some Lovin”, which is the first to be interspersed with the racing scenes and this mix of great music and fast paced racing is a highlight of the film. Unfairly panned as “Top Gun on wheels” amongst many other criticisms, it retains an 80’s charm for me.
Thanks for reading. I hope this message in a bottle in The Matrix finds you well, prospering and the right way up in an upside down world.
