"What we've got here is a failure to communicate."How do you break a man who won't be broken?
Lucas Jackson (Paul Newman) is sent to prison for cutting the heads offs parking meters. When questioned by the warden on why having been in the Army and attaining the rank of Sargent, he was discharged as a private, Luke shrugs.
Joining the convicts, Luke notices the hierarchy. Dragline (George Kennedy) is clearly the leader. He is bigger, smarter, stronger and doesn't hesitate to lord over them. Newbies are quick to fall in line--except Luke. Luke's carefree attitude is challenging to Dragline. The two are soon fighting for prisonyard supremacy by boxing. Again, Luke's nonconformity escalates the situation. Slowly Luke gains the respect of Dragline and fellow prisoners.
On the chain-gang, Luke stirs up the fellows, by his attitude, to excel at even the most menial of tasks. His energy is non-stop and before long, the prisoners has stripped their guard of any power over them. The warden doesn't take to kindly to that.
Luke's effects on fellow prisoners is troublesome for the warden and he's soon looking for a reason to isolate him. The warden is determined to break Luke.
Steely-eyed {and young} Paul Newman is remarkable creating a character who learns the hard way, but holds no hard feelings. He's brilliant. The stellar cast also includes great names that all film fans should recognize. George Kennedy has a great turn as Dragline. Joe Don Baker, Harry Dean Stanton and Dennis Hopper also play incredible roles as fellow prisoners. These commanding performances by the entire cast will stun you.
Cool Hand Luke delivers some powerful symbolism that brings you to tears. Luke is a man living life on his own terms. The screenplay by Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson is stunningly simple, but under Stuart Rosenberg's direction the film becomes an endearing epic.
This movie is quintessential American cinema. Cool Hand Luke is a world shaker; it's unforgettable.
No comments:
Post a Comment