Harper
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Movie Reviews of Harper
Movie Review: Satisfying gem with nostalgia galore...
Summary: 4 Stars
"Harper," the cool 1966 mystery noir, has always been a pet favorite of mine. I have never considered the film dated more than it perfectly documents a glorious time and place - the underbelly of Los Angeles decadence a year before the Summer of Love. The locations are memorable, the cast extraordinary and you have Paul Newman at the peak of youthful prowess absolutely nailing the role of Lew Harper, a black-suit-wearing private eye with a wisecrack for every situation.
The character is based on the famous Lew Archer (The Archer Files, The Complete Short Stories of Lew Archer, Private Investigator) novels penned by Ross Macdonald (based on his book The Moving Target, with a screenplay by a youthful William Goldman [Adventures in the Screen Trade]), and it's telling fans of the series are also fans of this film. Newman, usually chomping gum, is hired by a wealthy heiress, the wonderfully serpentine Lauren Bacall, to find her missing husband in what appears to be a kidnapping. There's a suspect next to every pool, including a tanned Robert Wagner as a good-natured playboy, curvy Pamela Tiffin as the sexy daughter, distinguished Arthur Hill as the best friend, a smooth Robert Webber as a sinister business associate, Shelly Winters as an alcoholic former actress, Julie Harris as a tough-as-nails dame and even Strother Martin as a robe-wearing religious guru so popular at the time.
This has got to be one of the most likeable casts in all of history, storied professionals participating in an update of the greatest of genres - the private eye mystery. There's a flippant disregard for American convention - marriage, love, romance, family bonds - and all shirts are eventually dirty. One of the film's great scenes, a moment I recall in every detail to this day, is when Newman, after a night of surviving near-death, ends up on his ex-wife's doorstep. Janet Leigh reluctantly opens the door and allows him to spend the night. The morning after, she is cooking a grand breakfast of bacon and eggs, a loving smile on her face. Maybe this time it will be different. It's not, as Newman immediately leaves, obsessed with cracking the case, seemingly trapped by the walls of her apartment. Leigh angrily stabs the yokes of the eggs and refers to her ex as a "lingering disease." It's one of the most emotionally truthful scenes ever filmed about failing relationships.
Other scenes stand out in this well-produced maze with eschewed camera angles and cynical facade. Director Jack Smight, still in his youth before succumbing to the big bucks of routine disaster flicks (Airport 75 (Ws), Damnation Alley [VHS]) keeps the action moving with energetic style. I like his framing of the obligatory chase scenes, in addition to a wonderfully shocking conclusion that's a perfect close to such an unconventional attitude (even for 1966). Some credit must be given to cinematographer Conrad L. Hall, one of film's great visionaries and just a year away from his ultimate work In Cold Blood. I also like the jazzy score of Johnny Mandel (A Time For Love...The Music Of Johnny Mandel), a perfect compliment to the off-balance proceedings.
For an actor such as Newman with so many great films on his resume, "Harper" may not even rank in the top 15. But it's one of only two characters this incredible icon would play more than once (move over Fast Eddie). The role was a perfect fit, and he would play the same character 10 years later in The Drowning Pool, a film also very good, but for entirely different reasons. "Harper" is ultimately a fascinating window into a vibrant time in LA filmmaking and cultural history. A polished, satisfying gem with nostalgia galore.
Movie Review: hired by a bitch to find scum...
Summary: 4 Stars
If you're into gritty 60's crime dramas, you'll get your money's worth with Harper (1966), a long and complicated tale with film noir elements that weaves between opulent affluence and the sleazy underside of LA. Paul Newman stars as Lew Harper, a private investigator just scraping by, called in to look into the disappearance of a wealthy businessman, who may have been kidnapped.
Adapted for the screen by William Goldman (Misery, Marathon Man, All The President's Men) from a novel by Ross MacDonald, the film features a marvelous all-star cast that includes Lauren Bacall, Shelly Winters, Arthur Hill, Robert Wagner, Pamela Tiffin, Julie Harris, Janet Leigh, Robert Webber, and Strother Martin.
The intricate tale begins with Harper being hired by Mrs. Sampson (Bacall) to check into the whereabouts of her husband Ralph, who was last seen by Allan Taggert (Wagner), the pilot of his personal plane. Harper's buddy, attorney Albert Graves (Hill) is Sampson's attorney, and has the hots for his client's twenty something daughter Miranda (Tiffen), who happens to hate her father. Harper's investigation leads to a washed up actress (Winters) and her gun totting husband (Webber), a drug abusing lounge singer (Harris), a religious nut (Martin), and other assorted colorful characters.
Harper drives an old heap, isn't good at fighting, and treats his wife Susan (Leigh) who is about to divorce him, like crap. He is however one cagey detective, with determination, a quick mind, good looks, and a glib tongue. Harper may not always look smooth, but he gets the job done. The case is a complicated affair that features several interwoven threads that lead the detective far and wide. What starts out as missing person's investigation, turns into a kidnapping, spiced with human trafficking and grand theft, and punctuated several times with murder.
From start to finish, the film almost exclusively follows Harper's activities. Even under that kind of scrutiny, Newman's performance is rock solid, interacting with the many illustrious talents who all also deliver strong performances. William Goldman's screenplay holds together quite well, as the mostly gritty tale has only a wacky religious angle as a distraction. The often snappy dialog is also one of the strong points, helping to facilitate the elaborate plot, and contributing to the film's earthy vibe. Probably one of the best films of this type made in the 1960's, Harper would later be followed by the sequel, The Drowning Pool (1975). The primary extra is a commentary by Goldman that while sporadic and kind of meandering, still provides some interesting information about the film, and his writing career.
Movie Review: It takes some time to be at the top
Summary: 4 Stars
Learning the trade is a hard job for an actor. After a couple of westerns you have to do your private eye film and here it is. I won't tell you anything about the plot because anyway it is not a plot. A rich man who is trafficking in illegal immigrant smuggling with a fake religious pure angel is kidnapped for half a million dollars because of some kind of love affair or love escape, plus some drug on top of it all and you have it. Add to that a rotten something and a decaying something else and you have it twice as well. Oh, I forgot the happy widow who has done nothing wrong except expecting that wrong to happen and a daughter who is flirting with every man around, younger or older, who cares. That's really the slowest and most superficial private eye story you could think of. Yet Paul Newman, still young in the profession and directed like some kind of puppet on a stick is doing a good job of it so that the whole paraphernalia and hullabaloo becomes nearly natural and enjoyable. But if it were not for him that would be a vain little film with no depth whatsoever. The sightseeing around Los Angeles is rather mediocre too. I guess I must sound slightly negative about it all. Well, let me tell you something that is no secret. I am and I am glad I am. Too bad for Paul Newman. After all he had to make a living before making a career.
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, University Paris 8 Saint Denis, University Paris 12 Créteil, CEGID
Movie Review: Fun whodunnit, with a superb cast and an intriguing plot
Summary: 4 Stars
Like so many movies, I just picked this one up on a whim off the shelves of our local library (Netflix will never get my business until I've gone through every enticing movie at the libs which, truth to tell, I don't see ever happening).
At any rate, it was a fun movie, not only because of its storyline, but also because of the cast: Paul Newman, Shelley Winters, Julie Harris, Robert Wagner, Janet Leigh--all in top form and having a blast with their noir roles. Newman is the lead and with his charming ways he keeps you entertained the whole time.
The story revolves around the kidnapping of an obnoxious zillionaire and the questions, of course, are--Who among the totally nefarious cast of characters is/are involved and, Will Newman get the criminals before they "do in" the kidnap victim?
Along the way, we see all sorts deliciously seedy sections of L.A. and encounter numerous colorful characters.
R. Baker's Rule--"Just about everything-be it film, book, play, or party-is 20% too long"--applies here. A few mintues trimmed out of this film would definitely have increased it's star rating by at least .25!! :)
Anyway, when you're in the mood for a good detective story, this should fill the bill.
Movie Review: Film Noir from 1960s California - Watch It
Summary: 4 Stars
Harper is an adaptation of Ross Macdonald's The Moving Target. Macdonald is one of my favorite mystery writers. The New York Times called Macdonald's work the best set of American detective novels. As usual, the movie isn't quite up to the level of the novel, but it is very good.
The movie takes place in mid-1960s Southern California. The plot concerns an alcoholic millionaire who disappears. The man's bitter wife hires private eye Harper to find him. Typically for a Macdonald novel, the case takes Harper to the seedy underside of the California dream. Harper tells a great story.
Paul Newman plays Harper. Predictably, his private eye is cooler, funnier, and less world weary than is Macdonald's p.i. The supporting cast is excellent - Robert Wagner, Shelley Winters, Strother Martin, and Janet Leigh. One disappointment for me was Lauren Bacall; she's one of my favorite actresses, but the script doesn't give her enough screen time.
A bonus of watching Harper is getting to see mid-60s Southern California. There are some great exteriors and some of the dialogue is amusing.
For mystery fans, Harper is well worth a look. It is a fun way to spend two hours.