Tightrope (Snap Case)
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Movie Reviews of Tightrope (Snap Case)
Movie Review: "There's a darkness inside all of us. You, me, and the man down the street. Some have it under control. Others act it out."
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently "discovered" the genius of Clint Eastwood ... and I have a lot of catching up to do. After seeing this film, I have a deeper appreciation for this performer's tremendous range.
Of the film itself, it is phenomenally gripping and complex. I was stunned at the "grey area" this work explores. Contemporary mainstream film often writes "black and white" characters: this character is "good," that one "bad." So tedious is this trend, that many critical viewers have abandoned "Hollywood" films entirely. Nonetheless, "Tightrope" illustrates that Hollywood once created deep, rich characters. Tuggle's work toys with a seeming contradiction: that Eastwood's character is a loving single-father to two young, sensitive girls AND that he has shockingly misogynistic impulses. The audience views Eastwood's character, Captain Block, indulge his sexual aggression with prostitutes (which is perhaps a result of his bitter divorce or perhaps a genuine aspect of his personality) and then return home to gently tuck his children into bed. This is jarring! Moreover, that Captain Block's love-interest is a powerful, rape-defense instructor only complicates his very human character. Eastwood enacts this multi-faceted role with absolute precision.
The casting is remarkable!! That Tuggle cast an "average" (read: unconventionally attractive) actress to play Eastwood's love-interest is ingenious. Geneviève Bujold plays the aforementioned defense-expert. As Beryl Thibodeaux, Bujold is the perfect counterpart to Eastwood. While intrigued by Captain Block, Thibodeaux quickly detects his misogynist tendencies and indicates that she will not be another conquest, but an equal. For instance, while on their first lunch date, Block tells Thibodeaux, "[I wonder] what it would be like to lick the sweat off your body." Her reaction is perfect: she is not angry, she is not aroused, she merely states that he could attempt a bit more subtlety ... that he could express a sentiment to her that he does not express to every woman he meets. It is both clever and progressive.
When watching this film, I wonder where these complicated works are today. I think Hollywood should take a lesson from Tuggle's work and show its audience characters who are both good parents and professionals with deep "flaws" (and the manner in which Block comes to terms with his sadistic side is quite compelling ... but no spoilers here!!) Block's humanity is excellently portrayed ... and I am continuing my exploration of Eastwood films hoping to find more of this!
Watch this film if you are interested in 1980's Hollywood, Eastwood's films, crime dramas, or the use of "strong women" in male-dominated films.
Movie Review: Even better than new
Summary: 5 Stars
There is nothing original in this 1984 film in New Orleans. We have seen it all. The ex-cop turned serial killer after a long sojourn in prison for rape. The woman activist who is teaching self defense to other women. The divorced father who is taking care of two girls. The victims chosen among the female haphazard or not of the main cop who arrested him a long time ago, in order to get even with him, to get his revenge. The Mardi Gras turned into crime peddling. The three cops keeping one woman under surveillance and protection killed one after the other and the woman assaulted. Etc. So what makes this film special? The cool character of the inspector, slow and fast at the same time, Pondering and following his instinct at some other time. Professional and yet yielding to prostitutes a little too easily and too often, and forgetting his ties on the place of intercourse. Having a problem explaining his younger daughter what a hard-on is. And the word is used twice in the film. There is also the perfect well built suspense founded and built on the shoes and the color of the shoelaces of the criminal. The absolute ruthlessness of this killer who enjoys raping his victims before they die by strangulation and then even eating a cookie and having a cup of coffee. That nonchalance is rarely expected nor found in a serial killer, though he may become so used to his deeds that follow a strict scenario that he may become easy-going about it. That's why the film is perfectly entertaining and Bourbon street on Mardi Gras is so colorful and fascinating. We would like every day to be a Mardi Gras, even if that is the paradise of murderers who can disguise the way they want and be absolutely unseen, invisible. And it all holds with a red silk ribbon. Marvelous detail that makes the film nearly sentimental, like the red badge of courage turned perverse and sociopathic.
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines, CEGID
Movie Review: Arguably the darkest film in Eastwood's filmography....
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this film ages ago, and recently viewed it again. It's even better than I remembered, and it's one of Eastwood's best films. As other have noted, it's a really dark film (even today). If it had been made today, it would probably get branded with a NC-17 rating because of its realistic depiction of the sleazy side of New Orleans. Eastwood is a cop chasing a serial killer who has a predeliction for rough, sleazy sex like Eastwood's character does. The sex scenes are uncomfortable to watch, they are not titillating at all. The violence in the film is also pretty brutal. It's not glamorized at all. It's quite savage. Eastwood gives one of his better performances here, Dan Hedaya gives a good performance, and Genevieue Bujold is excellent as Clint's love interest. Even Allison Eastwood, his real life daughter who plays his daughter here, is good. Today, this film would probably be filmed as a joke, with all the kinky sex done in a "fun" way, making it light and funny. Eastwood doesn't do this. It's shot on location in New Orleans, and it takes place a lot at night, adding to the brooding and intensity of it. Even day scenes seem dark here. This is a really creepy film, one of Eastwood's darkest films.
Even though Richard Tuggle is credited with directing, he didn't. He started as director, but he was going too slow for Clint's tastes, so Clint relieved Tuggle and took over the directing himself. Union rules in the DGA prevented Clint getting credit for directing (because Clint did the same thing with Philip Kaufman on The Outlaw Josey Wales), but for all intensive purposes, Clint directed this film. I really dug this film, and I'm glad I saw it again.
Movie Review: Exploration of Dark Desires
Summary: 5 Stars
Perverse, voyeuristic and nightmarish are not words commonly associated with Clint Eastwood's oeuvre, but in 1984 Richard Tuggle on the strength of his story was given the opportunity by Eastwood to direct his first film. The result is a seedy stroll through the backstreets and whorehouses of New Orleans. The success of the film relies on Eastwood's willingness to manipulate and subvert his iconic screen image. Since the warm comic capers of "Every Which Way But Loose" Eastwood had shown a propensity to experiment with his characters. This reaches something of an apex in the trouble and haunted homicide detective Wes Block. Block finds himself empathising a little too much with the serial killer who is plaguing the warm New Orleans nights. Adding to Block's complexity is a turbulent family life in which he is the single parent of two young children and a blossoming romance. The film really gets to grips with psychology of the serial killer as Block attempts to get inside his mind, the revelation that Block finds himself enjoying certain perverse delights creates a wonderful tension in the film that implicates Block as a possible suspect. Another major success of the film is the location, New Orleans beats not with life, but with death as the Mardi Gras takes a back seat and Tuggle explores the dark and seamy nightlife of this soulful and mysterious town. Ultimately this film is the real Dirty Harry, with the emphasis on Dirty. "Tightrope" is to the Eastwood detective image/film what "Unforgiven" was to his western image, a deconstruction of myths and iconic status. It deserves re-appraisal.
Movie Review: Dark, underrated Eastwood masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
This Eastwood film portrays a much darker view of life than previous Eastwood efforts. A very suspenseful and gripping film. In it, Eastwood plays Detective Wes Block. Block is pursuing a serial killer who is murdering prostitutes in the seedy underside of New Orleans. Block finds himself strangely drawn into this underworld and walking the "tightrope" between right and wrong, good and evil, as he balances his search for the killer. Meanwhile, his behavior eerily shadows the killer's deviant pursuits quite often leaving the viewer gasping in shock.
In the role of a rape counselor is Genevieve Bujold, as Beryl Thibodeaux. An excellent counterbalance to Block, she plays on the tightrope, too. We watch as his tendency towards the lurid develops, yet her job is one of comforter and defender of those who are victems of violence and also to prevent violence against women. Their attraction creates an interesting tension during the film.
Another interesting feature of "Tightrope" is how it shows the difficulty Wes Block faces raising two daughters as a single father, especially given the nature of his job. Eastwood's real-life daughter, Alison, plays one of the daughters in this film. Without giving away too much of the plot, I should say that mentally and physically there is some threat to the family.
Overall, I would say that this film is one of Eastwood's best efforts, although it has been somewhat overlooked. For true Eastwood fans, I feel it is truly worth watching. Highest ratings.