Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
2.5/4
Gabe - wrote on 05/19/2013
Normally, this would be right in my wheelhouse, but it now feels dated and makes no sense. Why would he choose to go back to Kentucky and serve out the rest of his time when the state of Illinois was fighting for him? But, then again, if he doesn't, then there is no film. I believe the point that was trying to be made was that chain gangs are bad. And it does convey that, but I think this film tells us more about the state of Kentucky that anything. If you have noting else to do on a Saturday afternoon, like I did, see it, it's not great, but it will keep you entertained.
Rating of
4/4
woody - wrote on 02/09/2011
Paul Muni is just about over the top in this one, but his all-out turn as a nice guy who gets some really bad breaks makes this one of the best movies of the thirties. He pulls you right into his desperation and you want things to work out just as much as he does. The rest of the cast is just OK, but with Muni it doesn't matter. Watch through to the end, one of the most memorable closing scenes in movie history.
Rating of
4/4
brendoman - wrote on 12/07/2007
This is an amazing movie. Basically it is about a man who returns from fighting in World War I, grows tired of his job and degenerates into a drifter, and is falsely accuse of a crime. He ends up in the brutal Georgia chain gang system. This movie had a significant impact on that system in real life and is very powerful. The performances are outstanding. Cool Hand Luke owes quite a lot to this film and I highly recommend this to any fans of Cool Hand Luke.
