This film apparently has cult status and its both difficult and easy to see why. I had previously attempted to watch this and had disengaged from it every time due to how slow it is. Ironic for a movie about high speed driving. But I have been on a 70s movie kick lately, there is something to be said for this era of film making which comes across as a breath of fresh air. Due to the lack of reliance on CGI and a much simpler lifestyle people enjoyed back then. No internet/no computers. So at my Xth attempt I made it all the way through. The question is was it worth it?
This is definitely a Sunday afternoon movie, it requires very little attention, because there are so few words. And some of them are in French, but no subtitles?
The story is around McQueen's character who is driver on a 24 hour race team, who has returned after a bad accident where a driver lost his life. The problem is that it takes a very long time to actually figure out the whys and the whatnots of the accident, because nobody seems to want to discuss it. The dead drivers wife is constantly around with McQueen trying to engage with her which she mainly rebuffs. There isn't much dialogue joy between McQueen and another of the other people either, he has stilted conversations with his rivals and team mates. Everyone seems to communicate in some "1970's cool guy staring telepathy" throughout the movie. So there is little to go on in terms of relationship dynamics or even peril because you aren't made to care about anyone. Someone crashed? Who cares?
There is plenty of car action and some is very well shot, so its obvious the cult status is from car nuts. Its certainly not from cinephiles or a general audience as it is obvious why this bombed. Also people with an inordinate interest in watches will also be disappointed. The famous Heuer Monaco watch isn't front and centre, I didn't spot it once and I was looking for it.
Despite the high speed of the cars this is a difficult to engage with, slow moving and surprisingly dull affair. This cant be one of McQueen's best, I am sure Lighting McQueen had a much better time at the box office?
This is definitely a Sunday afternoon movie, it requires very little attention, because there are so few words. And some of them are in French, but no subtitles?
The story is around McQueen's character who is driver on a 24 hour race team, who has returned after a bad accident where a driver lost his life. The problem is that it takes a very long time to actually figure out the whys and the whatnots of the accident, because nobody seems to want to discuss it. The dead drivers wife is constantly around with McQueen trying to engage with her which she mainly rebuffs. There isn't much dialogue joy between McQueen and another of the other people either, he has stilted conversations with his rivals and team mates. Everyone seems to communicate in some "1970's cool guy staring telepathy" throughout the movie. So there is little to go on in terms of relationship dynamics or even peril because you aren't made to care about anyone. Someone crashed? Who cares?
There is plenty of car action and some is very well shot, so its obvious the cult status is from car nuts. Its certainly not from cinephiles or a general audience as it is obvious why this bombed. Also people with an inordinate interest in watches will also be disappointed. The famous Heuer Monaco watch isn't front and centre, I didn't spot it once and I was looking for it.
Despite the high speed of the cars this is a difficult to engage with, slow moving and surprisingly dull affair. This cant be one of McQueen's best, I am sure Lighting McQueen had a much better time at the box office?