Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Movie review - "A Great American Tragedy" (1972) **

 There is something inherently powerful in the central conceit - a later-middle-aged man is fired from a well paying job and can't find a new one because his knowledge is so specialised.

It's handled with sensitivity, care and a strong cast - George Kennedy is fine in the lead, and there's people like Vera Miles and Kevin McCarthy and a young James Woods as his son in law.

I did find myself wishing Kennedy wasn't such a dill - he's got a yacht that takes him forever to decide to sell, a large house he won't sell, he's reluctant for his wife to work or even give up her studio. Being Hollywood when he cheats hes still good in the sack ("I've been made love to bu a man who knows how").

I know that is the point - it's a slow burn of a wealthy man. It just gets frustrating. It feels as though it misses a dramatic beat - like the marriage should break up, his cheating should be revealed or something. His family could be a little less supportive.

It's interesting, though. They did all sorts of stories with these TV movies.

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