Name: Silver Streak (1976)
IMDb: link to Silver Streak page
Genres: Action, Thriller, Crime Country of origin: USA.
Cast:
Gene Wilder as George Caldwell, Richard Pryor as Grover Muldoon, Jill Clayburgh as Hildegard ('Hilly') Burns, Scatman Crothers as Ralston, Ned Beatty as Bob Sweet, Ray Walston as Mr Whiney, Patrick McGoohan as Roger Devereaux, Clifton James as Sheriff Chauncey, Richard Kiel as Reace.
Directed by: Arthur Hiller. Written by: Colin Higgins.
The initial tableaux:
George Caldwell (publishing) and Hilly Burns (secretary to an art historian) meet on a train trip from Los Angeles to Chicago aboard the train called the Silver Streak. They get along swimmingly. Unfortunately, through their cabin window, George sees a dead body dropped off the train.
Delineation of conflicts:
The body was that of Hilly's boss. When George inquires about the boss, he gets thrown off the train while it's still moving. By luck, he catches up with the Silver Streak, and gets back on. The rest of the film is about George trying to stay alive, to find out just what happened, and to set things right if he can.
Hilly seems to be involved. Bob Sweet tells George about Roger Devereaux, whose 'chauffeur' Reace threw George off the train. When George confronts Hilly and Roger about the matter, Roger has a feasible explanation. Even better, the art professor himself shows up. Or does he?
George gets a bit tipsy, and tells Bob Sweet about the matter. George is confused and needs someone to talk to, after all. So, will George be able to pass off the dead body sighting as just a drunken misperception, or will the truth win out?
Resolution: Just about the time you think you've got the film figured out, Richard Pryor's character shows up and changes everything. The film moves to a satisfying conclusion.
One line summary: Murder mystery with Wilder & Pryor.
Statistics:
Cinematography: 9/10 Among other things, this is a travel film. The shots of the countryside from LA to Chicago are pretty nice. The interiors are clear, well-lit, and well-focused.
Sound: 8/10 The dialog was easy to follow. The music was typical 1970s fare. Some of it was a bit too florid and orchestral for my taste. Other parts were made with those old style synthesizers which sound primitive these days.
Acting: 9/10 Gene Wilder carries the show for the first 60% or so, and did a good job as the lead. Jill Clayburgh was good in a limited role as the secretary who knew just a bit too much. Ned Beatty's short stint was good. Patrick McGoohan delivered urbane menace quite well, and Ray Walston was a good grumpy henchman. When Richard Pryor entered the fray, the afterburners kicked in.
Screenplay: 9/10 The film was engaging from beginning to end, with a few laughs thrown in.
Final Rating: 9/10 Excellent. Nice script, good execution by the cast.
No comments:
Post a Comment