Die wilden Jahre

A heartfelt drama about all the different troubles one is faced with in life, the film is done in a superbly realistic manner. The characters are well developed and the relationships between them are well defined, but it is perhaps the acting of the characters that is the best part of the film, especially from Michael Sarazzin. However, the storyline itself is not all so great, as it is too familiar and too ponderous. The film also feels rather musty and B-grade, like a standard midday movie on television. But for the characters and the acting, the film is worth the watch. Great characters and acting… just not such a great plot.

A word of reassurance to anyone who's just read Mr. Stockett's plot summary: The character played by Jacqueline Bisset is NOT murdered, although she comes close enough. Actually, she's raped by a cycle gang leader, beaten by a Hollywood producer, then dumped in the street to be run over (a near miss results); the rest of the film unfolds mostly in flashback. This story of assorted aimless young folk who hang out at a tennis bum's beach pad could have been a real pain to sit through, but thanks to a good cast and understanding direction it holds the interest all the way, and accurately captures a certain American lifestyle. (Most critics hated this film, which is always an encouraging sign.) The talented cast makes the characters real and interesting; you really like most of these people, and their interplay is always interesting. And that terrific title song (performed by the late Dusty Springfield) should have been a big hit!

A mystery begins to unfold in the first two minutes of The Sweet Ride (1968), as we try to figure out who, almost killed, Vickie (Jacqueline Bissett), and left her for dead on the side of the road. The film switches into flashback mode from there and eventually, returns us back to current-day, leaving the last half-hour of the film, to fill in the missing pieces. We also have Anthony Franciosa as Collie Ransom and Michael Sarrazan as Denny McGuire, the tennis fraud and the surfer kid, who both fall under the spell of the beautiful, sexy Vickie Cartwright. The Sweet Ride (1968), is a different kind of crime-drama. There is definitely comedy sprinkled into this film, but it's mostly a drama. I was surprised by the amount of nudity seen in this film for 1968, but it was released, just at the time, that the change to the MPAA rating-system was happening. 1967-1969 was the start of the modern era of film. I also was stuck with a poor-quality, blurry, 4:3 copy of his film, that I found on YouTube, so I couldn't tell how noticeable the nudity was.

Bob Denver plays the third friend of, Collie and Denny's, interestingly named Choo Choo Burns. He is a hippie musician, in this very 1968 movie. The Sweet Ride (1968), shows signs of the Vietnam War in the background, by taking humorous shots at the crazy old Army guy, who lives next door. There's also plenty of marijuana use. Wow, Gilligan smoking a bong. That was great. His role in the Sweet Ride (1968), is a different kind of film for him. He's busy figuring out if his girlfriend is pregnant through half of the film. Thumper (Michele Carey), Choo Choo's girlfriend, is really hot and enhances this interestingly, unconventional role for Denver, because we were so used to seeing innocent, young, Gilligan for three years and not seeing a pot-smoking, ladies-man, who ironically gets drafted into the Vietnam War. Gillian's Island (1964-1967), ended the year before this film was released.

By the way, Jacqueline Bissett does a good Russian impersonation in the middle of the film. The story begins to get out of control slightly, with too many characters coming and going. The last half hour brings us to current day and the mystery becomes an afterthought. They really ruin the excitement of the mystery, that they had been building up to, since the beginning of the film. The poor character development, continuity and editing makes it look like Choo Choo disappeared. The passage of time isn't handled well. I guess his denouement was going to the drafting office, with his pink colored dog. Then he disappears. The film ends on an unsatisfying, boring finish, not really solving anything. However, the film is good enough, because the music was good, the jokes were good, the dedicated performances by the cast were good and some of the scenes worked out well.

PMTM Grade: 5.8 (D) = 6 IMDB.

This movie essentially revolves around three men by the names of "Collie Ransom" (Anthony Franciosa), "Dennis 'Denny' McGuire" (Michael Sarrazin) and "Choo Burns" (Bob Denver) who share a beach house in Southern California and pretty much take the world as it comes. Then one day an attractive woman by the name of "Vicky Cartwright" (Jacqueline Bisset) appears and catches the eye of both Dennis and Collie but since Dennis was the first to meet her he is given the opportunity to date her first. What he doesn't realize, however, is that she is dealing with some personal issues that will make it difficult for anybody to get close to her at this particular time. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film had an enormous amount of potential as it was gifted with talented actors and some good supporting musical numbers from both Dusty Springfield and the extremely talented but poorly managed rock group known as the Moby Grape. Unfortunately, the director (Harvey Hart) apparently had no idea what he was doing as the plot meandered all over the place with several sub-genres colliding with one another before ending on a dramatic and somber note. That being said, although I liked the overall late-60's atmosphere, I couldn't quite come to turns with the fragmented ambiance and for that reason I rate is as just average.

On the beach, three single guys and Jackie Bissett in her 20's - what more could you hope for. Tony Franciosa (good actor) plays aging tennis bum who skirt-chases, Bob Denver as the nebbish who's not dumb, and Michael Sarrazin (who was Ms. Bisset's real-life love interest back then) and the stunning Jackie in her beauty prime. Watching this flick is like hanging out with friends you like for the weekend that make you want to go home after a while. Furtive glances abound. There's definitely not enough women in this plot.

A 6 out of 10. Best performance = Tony Franciosa. He works the room in the most shallow 60's way (like Tony Curtis did), but you like the guy because he never gives up. A fun flick with great locale!