|
|
Post by janntosh on Jan 15, 2021 2:55:52 GMT
The first movie Clint Eastwood directed which might not be what you expect. A thriller about man being the victim of stalking with an almost slasher movie like finale. The movie is a clear precursor to Fatal Attraction with that movie flat out borrowing elements from this one. The film is a fun watch and Eastwood and Jessica Walter as the obsessed stalker are great but suffers from some tonal issues (has almost a comedic vibe at times) and strange scenes (A love scene that goes on forever, a three minute visit to a jazz festival) not to mention an out of place sounding score. Eastwood hadn't quite perfected his craft yet, still I would recommend for a night's viewing if you haven't seen it yet.  |
|
|
|
Post by Spitfire926f on Jan 15, 2021 3:08:46 GMT
I enjoyed it, but then I enjoy most Clint Eastwood films. What struck the most about it was how much Fatal Attraction borrowed from. Fatal Attraction was very close to being a remake of this.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hurdy Gurdy Man on Jan 15, 2021 4:05:15 GMT
I was somewhat disappointed by this. Its pacing is rather slow - no, I won't call it deliberate, just slow - and Eastwood doesn't seem to be too perturbed by everything that's going on.
Fatal Attraction might very well have ripped this off without credit (I read somewhere that John Carpenter refused the offer to direct it for this reason). But I liked it much more nonetheless. It works better as a psycho thriller and is a compelling drama in the first half as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by movielover on Jan 15, 2021 4:09:31 GMT
I really enjoyed this when I watched it. I did notice how much Fatal Attraction took from it.
|
|
|
|
Post by wmcclain on Jan 15, 2021 13:50:27 GMT
Play Misty for Me (1971), directed by Clint Eastwood. In his first film as director, Eastwood is a late-night DJ who plays light jazz and reads poetry over the air. You know the worst thing about being as hunky as Clint? Psycho-women. The sort who latch on after a little innocent sex and can't be shaken off. He picks up a doozy this time. Turns out she is fond of knives. He's not a tough guy here; he's at the mercy of the women in his life. The long bits with the other girlfriend throw off the pace and their dialogue is awkward. Nice coastal locations around Carmel and Monterey, and an interlude at the jazz festival. Roberta Flack contributes "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". The song of the title does not play until the closing. Brief nudity and passion scenes. Some girly walking-on-the-beach-at-sunset moments. 
|
|
|
|
Post by janntosh on Jan 16, 2021 19:34:24 GMT
Anyone else seen this
|
|
|
|
Post by dirtypillows on Jan 16, 2021 20:43:20 GMT
Yes, I like the film very much. And I've never really noticed anything about a slow pace. Yes, the scene with Clint and Donna walking on the beach was slow, I guess, but I liked that scene. A beautiful Big Sur and Roberta Flack's beautiful song "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". I have no idea why that song wasn't nominated for an Oscar??? (Though i think it did win the Grammy for Song of the Year) I like "Fatal Attraction", too, but not as much as PMFM. The 1987 movie was a bit on the too-slick side. Glenn's performance was the best thing in it. And even then, I thought Jessica Walter gave the more convincing performance. I also dig early 70s vibes, so there's that. 1971 was definitely Clint Eastwood's year. "Play Misty for Me", "The Beguiled" and "Dirty Harry" are all good, highly entertaining movies. Also the birth of an icon. It's kind of interesting that in the first two movies, handsome, virile Clint finds himself at the mercy of a bunch of crazy, horny women! Can this be a coincidence? I don't think Harry Callahan has much time for the ladies. |
|
|
|
Post by mortsahlfan on Jan 17, 2021 14:06:04 GMT
I liked it a lot, one of my favorite movies of Clint.. And his first job as director.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dramatic Look Gopher on Jan 17, 2021 16:42:35 GMT
A good thriller and a prototype for Fatal Attraction. Jessica Walter was positively frightening.
|
|
|
|
Post by millar70 on Jan 17, 2021 21:22:10 GMT
An excellent debut for a director who would only get better with time.
A fun thriller who's slower pace actually helps with the tension build up. Jessica Walter is beyond fantastic as the crazy woman scorned, and Clint is Clint.
Throw in the majestic scenery of Monterey and Carmel, plus some cool Roberta Flack, and you got yourself a pretty damn good flick.
Would Eastwood make better films? Of course, but this is one that is definitely worth a watch if you've never seen it.
|
|
|
|
Post by quagsjonny on Jan 17, 2021 23:00:18 GMT
Hidden gem. I saw this on tv at 9 or 10. The song still scares me ;-).
Eastwood is a,legend! Actor, Director, Film maker. Ugly son, but dna is a ok.
|
|
|
|
Post by Prime etc. on Jan 18, 2021 0:10:45 GMT
There is that super looong slooow stuff with the song, but it's alright given the other stuff. Why did Donna Mills go for the raccoon look later on?
For years I only knew her from this film-but she did tons of things in the 70s.
She also went to England and appeared in some stuff for UK tv.
I feel sorry for the cab driver who gets stuck with Jessica Walter after she ruins his business meeting.
This film would NEVER be made now.
We are meant to sympathize with Eastwood but nowadays he would be the bad guy.
|
|
|
|
Post by FridayOnElmStreet on Jan 18, 2021 11:05:59 GMT
4/10 Thought it was rather forgettable.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toasted Cheese on Jan 18, 2021 11:30:01 GMT
I like it very much, for a very early 70's cinematic rush and Jessica Walter is terrific as the psycho b!tch. I agree the film does tend to have some tonal issues, a bit of a melange in pace and style, but that could be put down to it being Eastwood's first directorial venture. I certainly don't find it boring, but the film does come across as a little naive in presentation as well. That said, it has been a very long time since I last viewed it.
A precursor to Fatal Attraction - 87', which I personally feel is superior in presentation, but that doesn't mean it is the better film, (Close is terrific too), just the more popular. I think what makes FA stand out more, is that Douglas's married character and the scenario was more relatable to many and also a nightmare scenario amped up. Eastwood was a single dj male and any indiscretions and repercussions weren't seen as serious, only that he just had to get this wacko out of his face. He only really got his housekeeper dragged into it if I recall, which had serious repercussions for her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toasted Cheese on Jan 18, 2021 11:33:59 GMT
Yes, I like the film very much. And I've never really noticed anything about a slow pace. Yes, the scene with Clint and Donna walking on the beach was slow, I guess, but I liked that scene. A beautiful Big Sur and Roberta Flack's beautiful song "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". I have no idea why that song wasn't nominated for an Oscar??? (Though i think it did win the Grammy for Song of the Year) I like "Fatal Attraction", too, but not as much as PMFM. The 1987 movie was a bit on the too-slick side. Glenn's performance was the best thing in it. And even then, I thought Jessica Walter gave the more convincing performance. I also dig early 70s vibes, so there's that. 1971 was definitely Clint Eastwood's year. "Play Misty for Me", "The Beguiled" and "Dirty Harry" are all good, highly entertaining movies. Also the birth of an icon. It's kind of interesting that in the first two movies, handsome, virile Clint finds himself at the mercy of a bunch of crazy, horny women! Can this be a coincidence? I don't think Harry Callahan has much time for the ladies. I can't claim this was the case, but for a film song to be eligible for an Oscar, it has to be written specifically for the film. Flacks lovely ballad could have been written as a single for the charts, before being giving the rights to be utilized in the film.
While it is a lovely scene and song, it does seem a bit cheesy and out of place with the rest of the film. A romantic love montage, where the film should have been amping up the suspense.
|
|
|
|
Post by fangirl1975 on Jan 18, 2021 18:46:26 GMT
I like it very much, for a very early 70's cinematic rush and Jessica Walter is terrific as the psycho b!tch. I agree the film does tend to have some tonal issues, a bit of a melange in pace and style, but that could be put down to it being Eastwood's first directorial venture. I certainly don't find it boring, but the film does come across as a little naive in presentation as well. That said, it has been a very long time since I last viewed it. A precursor to Fatal Attraction - 87', which I personally feel is superior in presentation, but that doesn't mean it is the better film, (Close is terrific too), just the more popular. I think what makes FA stand out more, is that Douglas's married character and the scenario was more relatable to many and also a nightmare scenario amped up. Eastwood was a single dj male and any indiscretions and repercussions weren't seen as serious, only that he just had to get this wacko out of his face. He only really got his housekeeper dragged into it if I recall, which had serious repercussions for her. I enjoyed Play Misty For Me. Fatal Attraction I'm squeamish about because I'm a crazy critter lady and know that the husband's infidelity had horrific repercussions for an innocent bunny.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toasted Cheese on Jan 19, 2021 4:37:33 GMT
I like it very much, for a very early 70's cinematic rush and Jessica Walter is terrific as the psycho b!tch. I agree the film does tend to have some tonal issues, a bit of a melange in pace and style, but that could be put down to it being Eastwood's first directorial venture. I certainly don't find it boring, but the film does come across as a little naive in presentation as well. That said, it has been a very long time since I last viewed it. A precursor to Fatal Attraction - 87', which I personally feel is superior in presentation, but that doesn't mean it is the better film, (Close is terrific too), just the more popular. I think what makes FA stand out more, is that Douglas's married character and the scenario was more relatable to many and also a nightmare scenario amped up. Eastwood was a single dj male and any indiscretions and repercussions weren't seen as serious, only that he just had to get this wacko out of his face. He only really got his housekeeper dragged into it if I recall, which had serious repercussions for her. I enjoyed Play Misty For Me. Fatal Attraction I'm squeamish about because I'm a crazy critter lady and know that the husband's infidelity had horrific repercussions for an innocent bunny. The cruelty implicit in the bunny scene is what many remember from FA. It does show how unhinged Alex was. I don’t find it too disturbing though, as they only showed a very brief shot of the bunny in the pot and rabbit stew isn’t uncommon for some. In this context though the rabbit was a pet. The biggest flaw for me in the film is when Alex kidnaps Ellen And takes her to the amusement park. She then dropped her off at home at the top end of the driveway. She was reported missing, Beth had an accident frantically searching for her daughter and wouldn’t there have been at least a cop stationed at their place in case she came home?
|
|
