There might have been a time when reasonable people could debate whether Clint Eastwood deserved to be included in the pantheon of 'Great Film Makers.' As we enter the second decade of the 21st century however, it appears to be unanimous. So I would like to nominate Mr. Eastwood for a new award: 'The Greatest Career in Film.'
For starters, how many actors can go from action star to movie star to a three decade dynasty as top-grossing icon? But, while his fans were reading the Hollywood rags to find out when the next "Dirty Harry" sequel was to be released, Eastwood had already been busy for almost as long honing his skills as a director. Beginning in 1971 with not one but two films - "The Beguiled" and then "Play Misty for Me" - he brought the same steely resolve as the characters he played in front of the camera to his work behind the camera. Many directors would be satisfied and proud to win two best director Oscars and the praise of most critics in an entire career but Mr. Eastwood accomplished it in half the time while essentially working two jobs. He starred in a few dozen films while directing himself and many other increasingly notable and serious dramatic actors. As a sign of his prowess behind the camera, several of those actors have gone on to win Oscars with him at the helm; Sean Penn, Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins just to mention a few. As for Mr. Eastwood's two Oscars, they stand as two exclamation points, each one added to emphasize his remarkable achievements in BOTH arenas. Is there any doubt now that his name is as often modified by the word director as it is by the term movie star?!
If there is anyone out there who remains unconvinced about Mr. Eastwood's talent and integrity as a film maker, rent or buy some of his early films such as "Coogan's Bluff", "Where Eagles Dare" or "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot." My absolute favorite is "Kelly's Heroes." As an increasingly popular actor, his influence and imprimatur is undeniable in his choice of projects. To watch them is to become a fan of Clint Eastwood. You may not like the subject or genre but his movies are always first rate and well-constructed. That realization is fully manifested in Kelly's Heroes. Forget any apologies or qualifications about comedic efforts or in which genre it belongs, "Kelly's Heroes" is the best war film of all time. No, that isn't an exaggeration from a die hard fan. It is the natural conclusion after years of research watching ANY movie that could even tangentially be considered a war movie. There are indeed some good ones, and the best tend to dramatize the brutality and insanity of war. So when one takes a different route and exposes the greed and profiteering, undeniable constants in any conflict, and does so in a humorous way, should that somehow disqualify it from consideration as a great or artistic work? Watch Kelly's Heroes again, or for the first time if you were one of those poor souls locked up in a Soviet Gulag in Siberia. Watch a movie that is beautifully produced with a score and cinematography that is nonpareil.
To such a beautifully looking and sounding work add Mr. Eastwood, Donald Sutherland in a hysterical performance as the anachronistic hippy tank commander, Telly Savalas as the perfectly cast master-seargent promoted to cat-hearder desperately trying to keep a misfit unit together, befuddled by Eastwood's brilliant but treasonous leadership, and a plot that is as insane as it is believable. Who wouldn't do what Kelley and his little band of heroic entrepreneurs did if given the same opportunity...
I'm not going to reveal any more of the story and spoil this movie for anyone who might have forgotten this gem of a film. If you ever find yourself stuck inside on a rainy Saturday or Sunday afternoon, grab a big bowl and the whole box of microwave popcorn. While those molecules start getting excited, your's should as well. That should give you enough energy to get the DVD and turn on the TV. As inspiration, we like to play 'Beat the Microwave Clock' in our house: Before the bag and popcorn acquire the color and consistency of charcoal, start the movie and while the endless, insanity-producing FBI warning and remote-disabling previews run on, sprint to the refrigerator, grab your beverage of choice, lots of paper towls and a big bowl. As rationalization for the buttery-flavored blends, you can subtract the calories you burn as you buzz through the house in ravenous anticipation. If you are really good or well-practiced, and the kitchen is on the same floor, you should be able to punch the microwave escape hatch before the buzzer sounds and you have to start looking for the step-stool so you can unplug all the smoke detectors...
The trick is remain calm and remember to grab the popcorn bag by the corners. Movies just aren't as much fun when you have to watch them with bandages on your hands and ringing in your ears.
Even if you burn the popcorn and your hands, I promise you will quickly forget as you become immersed in what is simply a great and thrilling story. What I can't guarantee is how your sides will feel after you spend the entire afternoon laughing...
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