Saturday, September 24, 2022

Movie review - "Free Willy" (1993) ***1/2

 Very well done boy and whale movie, expertly directed by Australia's own Simon Wincer. Some exploitation stars have a change of pace - Michael Madsen as a foster dad, Michael Ironside as a baddy. Actually Ironside doesn't change pace - and Madsen doesn't really adjust his acting style from sub James Dean (wrinkly forehead, downward eyes, etc). 

Jason James Richter is the foster kid who bonds with Willy, Lori Petty is a trainer. I'm surprised they didn't make Madsen single and have him romance Petty. I'm sure it was discussed. Entertaining. William Goldman would call the section from when they go "we gotta free Willy" narrative cinema at its finest.  Satisfying jump.

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