 | Unforgettable - and very believable...
rating: 5
even after 30 years this movie stands out in my memory as exceptional. By the end of it you will find yourself wondering, as I did: "Could it by any chance be TRUE?" Maybe...
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A Near-Perfect Movie... A Flawed Commentary Track
rating: 5
There are certain films that age like cinematic fine wine, slowly revealing themselves as consummate movie-movies. 1973's "The Last of Sheila" is one such.
Partly, this is because of the cast--and what a great ensemble cast is this: James Coburn employs his wickedly toothy grin to great effect as a vengeful Hollywood producer with a penchant for cruel games; James Mason, a real-life classy veteran of Golden Age Hollywood, brings a regal poignancy to the role of a world-weary, down-on-his-luck director with a devastating secret; Dyan Cannon, then last seen in the thankless "mistress" role in the Burt Reynolds actioner "Shamus", is a bawdy revelation in her (reportedly spot-on) impersonation of then Hollywood super-agent Sue Mengers; Richard Benjamin, at the time cast primarily in comic roles, brings subtlety and nuance to his portrayal of an affable, if frustrated, screenwriter who may not be what he seems, with the luminous Joan Hackett heartbreaking as his loving, tormented wife; and finally British actor Ian McShane (now best known for HBO's gritty "Deadwood") as the creepy, desperate manager-hubby of beauteous movie-star Raquel Welch, who does a respectable job playing... a beauteous movie-star. They mesh well, playing off and against each other with mostly spectacular skill, and you settle back on your sofa, watch these actors closely, and lament that Hollywood can't or won't make them like this (or 1970's "M*A*S*H", or 1974's "Murder on the Orient Express" or...) anymore.
The "Sheila" of the title is the tempestuous wife of Clinton Green (Coburn) who, in the sequence that kicks off the movie, storms out of her palatial Bel Air home following a noisy fight with her husband and is mowed down by a hit and run driver.
The rest of the film is an elegant, suspenseful and maliciously witty cat and mouse game orchestrated with sadistic relish by Green on his sleek, luxe, yacht and in glamorous Mediterranean ports of call, as he methodically attempts to flush out his wife's killer from among his six guests, all (or nearly all) of whom were at the party on the night Sheila was killed, all of whom have secret pasts they'd prefer stay secret and in the past.
Of course things don't quite go according to plan and therein hangs the tale; discerning audiences--and you do have to pay attention or you'll miss some significant bit of business--with a taste for mystery (and deliciously bitchy Hollywood references and in-jokes) will enjoy every moment of this movie, which was beautifully photographed, directed with verve by Herbert Ross (Play It Again, Sam; The Seven-Percent-Solution; The Sunshine Boys), and written by Anthony Perkins (yes, that Anthony Perkins) and Stephen Sondheim (yes, that Stephen Sondheim) who shared a love of elaborate, brain-teasing puzzles and games.
Included in the DVD release is the by now de rigueur original theatrical trailer, and a 2003 commentary track by Benjamin, Cannon and Welch that is by turns marvelous fun and weirdly distracting: apparently Welch taped her commentary alone and it was later spliced into the commentary done by Benjamin and Cannon, who obviously had fond memories of their cast mates and one another, and have such a blast talking about the making of the film that their enjoyment is downright infectious--Benjamin's dryly funny remarks and Cannon's wild belly-laughter (one of the distinctive joys of her performer persona) will make you smile and sometimes laugh out loud.
But the awkward insertion of Welch's solo remembrances leaves her at rather a disadvantage as she seems to "respond" to the comments of her fellow cast members by talking frequently about her image, career issues and wardrobe; this leaves the listener with the misleading and perhaps unfair impression that Raquel Welch's interest in "The Last of Sheila" does not much extend beyond herself, or that Dyan Cannon and Richard Benjamin disliked her and are ignoring her as they recollect, or both. I was initially disconcerted by the way they often seemed to be talking past one another; only later did I learn that all three were never in the same room together, which explains why at the end of the taping Richard affectionately thanks Dyan, and Dyan affectionately thanks Richard--and neither says a thing to Raquel!
Not everyone likes commentary tracks; for the most part I consider them a highlight of the DVD experience. The taped memories of key cast and crew can be illuminating and entertaining and this one should have been done with more care. How come Welch, Benjamin and Cannon couldn't do this commentary together? At the very least, couldn't Ian McShane have joined Raquel so that she didn't come off sounding so self-absorbed?
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Test Your Wits--If You Dare!
rating: 3
James Coburn's and James Mason's performances are the best parts of this Puzzle film. Dyan Cannon comes in third, and the rest (sad to say) rank behind a couple of hand-puppets as far as acting is concerned.
The murder puzzle can be solved by people who are paying attention. The "game" puzzle (constructed by Coburn's character) can also be solved, but it may be a little harder. Both are pretty good as puzzles go.
Other reviewers have commented on various facets of this film that interest them, and many of their remarks have merit. I have been a long-time Joan Hackett fan, but I found her disappointing in this outing; vintage Raquel Welch is a minor pleasure to watch, but then so is vintage Joan Collins, and nobody ever said their acting is of high quality; Ian McShane (recently an amazingly accomplished star on HBO's DEADWOOD series) has little to do here; Richard Benjamin, who seems an odd casting choice for a semi-serious film, rightly has devoted his later years to directing.
As far as "Bonus Features" are concerned, the only one worth mentioning is the commentary track by Benjamin, Welch, and Cannon. It provides some minor insights, but mostly it consists of three people passing out belated valentines to the cast members who have died and giving some kindly pats on the back to each other.
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The last of Sheila
rating: 5
A classic! An offbeat mystery full of fine acting and actual surprises. The cast is exceptional. It all takes place on a yacht, but it is not boring... somewhat like the 'Orient Express" train ride.
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A superb cast and script offset by pedestrian direction and cinematography
rating: 3
A superb mystery thriller script by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins gets the all-star cast treatment. Unfortunately Herbert Ross' pedestrian direction give this movie the feel of an Italian 70's B-movies.
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