Marathon Man

Genre: suspense

With: Dustin Hoffman (Thomas ‟Babe” Levy), Laurence Olivier (Christian Szell), Roy Scheider (Babe’s brother, ‟Doc”), William Devane (Peter Janeway), Marthe Keller (Elsa Opel), Fritz Weaver (Professor Biesenthal)

Director: John Schlesinger

Screenplay: William Goldman (based on his novel)

Release: 1976

Studio: Paramount Pictures, Robert Evans Company

Rating: 14A

MBiS score: 8.5/10

 

 

What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger

 

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Story-line: Babe Levy, who studies at Columbia University and trains as a long-distance runner, gets tangled up in a sinister affair when an elderly German he doesn’t even know perishes in a car accident.

Pluses: stellar performances by Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier (in an Oscar-nominated turn) and cast (including that old Parisian in a brilliant cameo), a cold, cryptic and complicated screenplay that generates much anxiety, danger and one unbearable chase scene, strong direction that sustains mystery, a chilling musical score and advantageous production values.

Minuses: although logical, the plot may confuse you at times because it covers a lot of ground.

Comments: MARATHON MAN is another fantastic entry from American cinema’s most productive and prestigious period. It also boasts a very likeable hero in Babe Levy, a young man who has faced emotional trauma as a child and now finds himself in a nightmarish situation over which he has no control. One note about the dialogues: although much emphasis is placed on the catchy line “Is it safe?”, my favourite is Janeway’s “We provide”, a euphemism that all politicians should add to their repertoire.    

  

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 House of Strangers

Genre: family drama (in black and white)

With: Edward G. Robinson (Gino Monetti), Richard Conte (Max, his favourite son), Luther Adler. Paul Valentine and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (Gino’s three other sons, Joe, Pietro and Tony, respectively), Susan Hayward (Irene Bennett), Debra Paget (Maria Domenico, Max’s fiancée), Hope Emerson (Maria’s mother, Helena Domenico)

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Screenplay: Philip Yordan (with help from Joseph L. Mankiewicz), based on a novel by Jerome Weidman  

Release: 1949

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.4/10

  

A Family in Name Only  

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Story-line: when Max Monetti returns to his father’s bank, which is now managed by his brothers Joe, Tony and Pietro, he’s in no mood to fraternize. He wants compensation for his seven years in jail… and it’s not Monetti money that will make him forgive and forget.     

Pluses: memorable performances by Richard Conte, Edward G. Robinson, Susan Hayward (what a great actress!) and a sturdy cast, a perceptive screenplay peppered with snappy and sometimes hilarious dialogues, tight direction by a renowned helmer, impeccable production values and a musical theme both ominous and sexy.

Minuses: none really.

Comments: the highlight of this busy, engrossing and powerful drama is the fiery, almost perverse relationship between Irene and Max, who is already engaged to Maria; every time those two face each other, they talk tough and enjoy every minute of it. Simply put, HOUSE OF STRANGERS is old-time moviemaking at its best; it shows heart, intelligence and lots of craftsmanship instead of the gimmicks, superheroes and defective plots that Hollywood often dishes out today. Catch this one, movie buffs. You’ll thank me for it!    

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