The Onion Field
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Movie Reviews of The Onion Field
Movie Review: Smart, Well Crafted, Real - Truly Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
Released in 1979, The Onion Field never seems dated, (apart from seeing a VW bug swerve to avoid a Corvair). It moves with cold, clear-eyed deliberation, fueled by great writing, acting, and directing. Ex-cop Joseph Wambaugh, who wrote the book and screenplay, had been burned by the Hollywood studio system's adaptation of The Choirboys. Wisely, he and director Harold Becker funded much of The Onion Field themselves in exchange for total creative control. The result is a rich, textured masterpiece that looks far beneath the flash at the end of a barrel. From cop to criminal to collateral damage, the people in this film are so real you might easily pass them on the street.
Today's batch of filmmakers would be well served to revisit The Onion Field. One person is shot in this movie, that is the sum total of on-screen violence. Despite this, there is a tension and dread pervading every frame arising from the many levels of cruelty and injustice; it is simply impossible to turn away. Slaughtering one hundred cartoon characters with a sword registers zero on the emotional Richter scale, (it's a cheap device for a lazy and unimaginative slacker), but when one person dies and we care desperately, not just for him, but for those touched by the loss, now you are in the realm of art.
Gregory Ulas Powell, one of the most unsettling bad guys in all cinema, is the prototypical James Woods role. This is his masterpiece performance; in some ways it doomed him to a life of playing psychos and maniacs. (On the other hand, he never had much of a shot at those Robert Redford, Paul Newman parts.) Woods deserved an Oscar; he is simply perfect as the creepy but complex Powell, a sociopath who is brilliant, insane, manipulative, profoundly needy, naive, and incredibly stupid all at once. Powell's ability to corrupt and jigger the judicial system powers the back end of this film, and it is here that the unfairness and destruction become intolerable. Where a million lesser movies end with the steel door closing on the perp, The Onion Field takes us into the painful machinations of briefs and appeals that defer punishment so richly deserved. The toll is harrowing.
Detective Karl Francis Hettinger is the most visible casualty. He feels responsible for the death of his partner and spirals downward, almost to the point of suicide. There is one scene involving him and his infant daughter that is far more painful to watch than the killing. John Savage is faultless in this role, bringing a subtle process of emotional decomposition to the screen that is a testament both to him, and to Wambaugh's writing. In essence, the murder is a pebble in the water with ripples spreading far and wide. Jimmy Smith, who has the misfortune of being recruited by Powell, is brought to life by Franklyn Seales. Never has there been a more sympathetic crook, in Smith we see how some men do not choose evil but are simply too weak to resist the current.
The Onion Field is a masterwork on every level; it belongs in your collection.
Movie Review: Orchids for THE ONION FIELD
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on the true crime story of the same title written by Joseph Wambaugh, this 1979 movie is really well done. It stars James Woods ("Ghosts of Mississippi") as a cold-blooded cop killer, a very young Ted Danson (a household word because of "Cheers") as the police office he brutally kills, and John Savage ("The Godfather Part III") as the survivng officer who is riddled with guilt to the point that he engages in petty theft in order to be punished and ultimately is fired from the LA Police Department.
While all the actors give fine performances, James Woods is outstanding as a manipulative killer. The title of the movie comes from a field of onions where the killers take the two police officers after they abduct them.
I never saw this film when it was first released. With all the publicity recently about the Clutter murders in Kansas because of the movie "Capote," perhaps "The Onion Field" will experience a much deserved revival.
Movie Review: Enlightening Movie of a true crime story
Summary: 5 Stars
The Onion Field is a true story by Joseph Wambaugh, a former policeman who knows of what he writes. The actors, especially James Woods actually looks like the killer he plays. Ted Danson is seen in his first major movie role, for only a short time, but an important character in the movie, which caused the LA Police Department to change it's rules about never "giving up your weapon" to anyone. It has a somewhat surprising ending, when you find out who is "remembering" the ordeal which is the basis of the theme of the movie, and how it affects his life. Joseph Wambaugh is at his best when he writes TRUE CRIME stories, such as this as well as "The Blooding", about the first time DNA was used to solve a case, which took place in England. He can hold you spell-bound.Movie Review: Definitely,Read The Book First
Summary: 5 Stars
For all those winjing, cry-baby types who obsess about how a film is "not faithfull to the book" here's one for you. The detail that went into this film make it one of the best "True Crime" films of all time.
I viuewed this little gem less than a year after reading the Joseph Wambaugh bokk. I was blown away at how diligent the director was in following the book.
That was a long time ago. The new generation should really check this movie out. And, for us Oldsters, you'll get a look at Ted Danson before "Cheers" as well as an up-and-coming James Woods, who is absolutely compelling in his role.
Movie Review: Outstanding acting, great directing.
Summary: 5 Stars
I had never seen this film but I thought it might be worthwhile because of the writer, director and cast. I have to say that this is one of the best law enforcement movies I've ever seen. I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in true life police / crime dramas.