While films related to military matters are among my favorite things to partake in, it's not everyday you see one that fits within the noir genre. This little known movie brings the process of hazing to the forefront, and shows how nepotism is one of the worst aspects of modern society. The Strange One begins with a cadet sergeant named Jocko De Paris (Ben Gazzara) bullying a freshman at a southern military college. Most people at the school are terrified of Jocko due to his father's influence with the place, and Jocko can do what he wants with impunity. The victimized recruit in question is cadet Simmons (Arthur Storch), who is singled out by Jocko and his football player friend Roger. They beat him with a broom in one of the dorms. Later on, Jocko makes it look as though George Avery, son of a high ranking officer at the college, has been drinking too much on campus by using an apparatus to pump whiskey down his throat while he sleeps. The plan works in Jocko's favor and Avery is removed from the school. All the people involved with this are looked into by the officers at the school, but Jocko's involvement is not suspected (yet). As De Paris continues to brutalize other cadets, some of them (including his own roommates) band together in order to put a stop to what he's doing. While attempting to get Simmons to meet a girl named Rosebud (Julie Wilson) at a bar, Jocko is arrested and brought before Major George Avery Senior. He finds out the charge is false, and the major wanted him arrested for deserting his post while on guard duty, but he was relieved by someone else shortly before. Nevertheless, the major accuses Jocko of pouring alcohol down his son's throat in order to get him expelled, to which Jocko replies if he really did that, he wouldn't be stupid enough to leave whiskey in the apparatus for the major to find. The latter hits Jocko in the face and throws him out of his office. Jocko then takes Rosebud with him to the bar they were at earlier, intending to let her meet Simmons for sure this time without being interrupted. However, upon entering, Jocko is confronted by dozens of cadets from the college who hold him hostage inside the place. Angry and wanting revenge, they force him to sign a paper confirming his involvement in the whiskey scandal and trying to cover it up. Smug at first and convinced he did nothing wrong, Jocko is eventually forced to sign the paper and is then blindfolded and carried to a nearby railroad track. Instead of throwing him onto it and killing him, the cadets place Jocko on the train once it comes to a halt. Once Jocko realizes what's going on, he yells at the cadets from the caboose, saying he'll get them for this. This is quite an effective movie. While it doesn't have one of the staples of the genre (a female character who ruins somebody's life), this is more than made up for by Ben's devious performance. He perfectly epitomizes every jerk that you've probably ever known, and enjoys tormenting those around him for one reason: he knows he can get away with it. While I thought Rosebud was kind of a wasted character seeing as how she doesn't really do anything (but complain about Italian food). She's also the only female character in the whole movie aside from the major's secretary. Overall, due to great acting from the lead antagonist, and how it shows schools (even colleges) to be safe havens for bullies under the right circumstances, The Strange One is one of the most unique noirs you'll come across.
Review of The Strange One
