Starring: Warren
Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Stockard Channing, Florence Stanley, Richard B. Shull,
Tom Newman, John Fiedler, Scatman Crothers
Plot: Two bumbling hustlers in the 1920s attempt to gain the
fortune of an heiress. Nothing will stop them, not even murder.
My Review and Thoughts:
Film: 3.5/5
This is a comical film starring some amazing performers.
Three acting legends in one film, hamming it up for the viewer to experience.
Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty and Stockard Channing work perfect together throughout
this comical farce. Now I will be honest I am not the greatest fan of this
movie. I have seen it several times and it makes me laugh and does entertain me
throughout its laugh out funny ride of entertainment. It's just something that I
don’t really hold high in film excellence, but with that said it’s still a fun
film and most of all worthy to own on this new special edition blu-ray format.
I do feel it’s an underrated comedy with a solid cast and Twilight Time
expressed the beauty yet again on a film that seems to have been lost in the
film world or at least the film industry. Twilight Time gives it an outlet for
a whole new generation of movie buffs.
Now the stand out performance goes to Nicholson just because
it’s something very different. I think his role and character of Oscar is
the best of the film. He makes the viewer laugh and gives a persona so different
to his character that it lingers on the viewer. I really can’t remember when I
first saw this but it was a film that I had totally forgotten about until
learning that it would be a Special Edition release for Twilight Time. I am very
happy that it was lovingly put out by Twilight Time on a new beautiful Blu-ray
that gives the film a whole new sound and image that the film has never seen
the likes of. Twilight Time is able to bring a mastery that the films have
never seen before and that is what is amazing about owning Twilight Time
Blu-ray’s and The Fortune is no different. There is one thing I know everyone
at Twilight Time should get a pat on the back and a job well done on the beauty
they honor films with.
I, being one of the biggest film buffs, love when I come
across persons who honor film in ways of mastery and Twilight Time does that.
Sometimes I feel I am the only one that understands and honors film, but when I
have the likes and passion of this company giving outlets to great films, in new
and beautiful ways, I know there are others who get the art form of film.
Now this film is directed by one of the greatest masterpiece
directors of all time who sadly we lost in 2014. Mike Nichols was a true god
director. He mastered such greats as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The
Graduate, Closer. One of my favorite comedies The Birdcage and one of my very
favorite underrated films 1994’s Wolf. He also directed one of my all-time
favorite tear jerking drama’s 1983’s Silkwood, HINT HINT TWILIGHT TIME. Nichols is a visionary talent
that knew how to put into place his performers and craft the film around the
image he wanted and expressed it through the lens for the viewer in away as if
you the watcher, where right there in the room. His expertise in the art form
of film making stood out and created many memorable films.
The Fortune is my
least favorite of his 22 films but that does not mean it’s a bad film because
it’s very entertaining and very funny and it has performances that linger with
you.
Of all the performers, each one showcases their characters in acting perfection and create a persona to their characters that give the viewers a liking or a dislike of their characterization. Loved seeing Scatman Crothers in apart. A true genius of film. That is something interesting about this film is some of the performers had or would work together in other films. Scatman after The Fortune would go on to act with Nicholson in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest and my personal favorite Kubrick’s masterpiece The Shining. I’ll always remember Scatman for his animated voice. I was a kid of the 80’s and grew up with one of the greatest cartoons ever Transformers. Scatman was the voice of the Transformer Jazz.
This is written by an actress Carole Eastman who used a
different name when writing her screen plays. She wrote The Fortune under the
name Adrien Joyce. She also would collaborate with Nicholson on other films.
Both had become friends when meeting in acting classes. She wrote 1966’s The
Shooting starring Nicholson and also 1970’s Five Easy Pieces starring Nicholson
and 1992’s Man Trouble starring Nicholson. Sadly her script for The Fortune was
turned around and chopped to pieces resulting in a mixed review by critics.
Some approach The Fortune as it being good, yet not great and others approach it,
as it being something different, yet funny but also seems to drag in spots even
though it’s only 88 minutes. I for one think the film is unique and a fun
watch. It’s got great comical moments and the performances alone make the film
shine.
Something I have to pin point out because I absolutely love her, is this was Stockard Channing’s first major feature film starring role. She
created a worthy character to remember. The film is a worthy example of a
comedy farce that lingers with the viewer. I can understand the mixed reviews
for this film but I still feel it works and is a comical film that has a solid cast
of acting.
To me this is another prime example of Twilight Time Special
Edition excellence that should be owned and placed on the shelf of any movie
lover. It’s a forgotten comedy that has been resurrected by true movie release
pioneers, TWILIGHT TIME.
Audio/Video: 5/5
The best the movie has ever seen and ever been given.
Twilight Time has such away with honoring and respecting film that it makes a
movie buff enjoy cinema all that more.
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 2.35:1
AUDIO: English 1.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
1975 / Color
88 MINUTES
Extras: 2/5
You get the important and excellent Isolated Music and
effects track. This was another wonderful listen. Composed by a legend in his
own right, the one and only David Shire. I have always loved his music in 1974’s
The Conversation, 1976’s All the Presidents Men, 1979’s Norma Rae, 1984’s 2010
and 2007’s Zodiac and countless other feature films and TV movies. He knows how
to bring out the emotions in listeners. The Fortune works through his talent in
crafted music and composing and the special Edition Twilight Time Blu-ray does
his music mastery justice.
You also get another wonderful booklet by the movie historian
Julie Kirgo. Another highlight to Twilight Time blu-rays.
Overall Product Review: 3.5/5
Another great release by Twilight Time. The wonderful audio
and video is stunningly breathless as always. This felt like a new movie. Twilight
Time gave it a new outlet and expressed the beauty they show film to a new
generation of movie buffs. The Fortune is a funny and dark style comedy that
expresses the funny bone into a film that makes one smile and giggle. The
performances are all flawless. The story is wild and the direction is amazing.
A fun film of criminal activities with a twisted plot of comical banter.
INFO:
Make sure you head over to www.screenarchives.com to buy all
the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
Also head over and like Twilight Time on Facebook
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