Picked this one up on Netflix Instant and I hope more of our readers give it a look. An excellent directorial debut by screenwriter Paul Schrader. Although Martin Scorsese would make bigger successes out of two of his screenplays (Taxi Driver and Raging Bull), I almost feel like this film is better than both of them. Raging Bull isn’t one of my favorites, so it’s hard not to think of this as the better film, but Taxi Driver is an altogether unique experience.
Fine performances from Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel and Yaphet Kotto. This is the only time I’ve seen Pryor in a dramatic role since much of his ’80s work, which I saw as a kid, was light, zany comedies. I’m rather impressed with his ability and saddened that he stuck more to comedy than to drama, for which he had a knack. I didn’t expect anything less than the best from Keitel and Kotto, though, so I wasn’t disappointed.
And while I agree that it seems contrived in retrospect, Peter, I’d almost said its fittingly so. Exploring the corruption inherent in any system, even a positive one, where money is a driving factor, hits amazingly close to home today in the midst of our weakened economy and when put against the backdrop of events in Wisconsin and Ohio where workers rights are slowly being stripped away. So, while it may seem a bit forced, it’s all the better for it. And I’m not at all unhappy with the lack of true resolution, which gives the audience a chance to interpret the events preceding in ways that permit regular dissection and analysis.
Thanks to Mike for recommending this film which I might not have otherwise seen.
My first film directed by Shcrader was his next, Hardcore. Like all his directorial efforts I found this one to be interesting but with a few misgivings.
The set-up was interestign and the early scenes, which were mostly played for laughs, were terrific, but then the film turns heavy with the death of a main character and the ending seems both forced and overly contrived. It’s also without resolution.
See it for the performances of Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel and Yaphet Kotto who are all at the top of their game. It was also nice to see Harry Bellaver in what was probably his biggest role since the TV’s series The Naked City (1958-1963) as the crooked union head. He was a wonderful, under-utlized character actor who never-the-less had a long career in small parts.
I’ll be honest. I forgot. It’s in my instant queue, but I’ve been so busy, I didn’t plug it in on the one opportunity I had to watch a film in the last two weeks. Hopefully this weekend, but signs do not point to yes.
Now that you’ve (hopefully) had a chance to watch Blue Collar, please join us in discussing this film by posting your comments below.
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