Ein besonderer Held

I watched this fresh off maybe my third read of the source novel, so for me, the lack of character development really shows up. I understand it's difficult to fit everything covered in a 294 page novel, but this could of been a much better movie if it was lengthened by about 15 minutes, with emphasis on character development, along with more story of what drove Eddie to take the risks he did after the military turned their back on him. I especially missed seeing more of his interaction with his mom, and feel they glossed over Eddie's time as a POW. Richard Pryor performed well as a dramatic actor here, they shouldn't have insisted making the film into yet another comedy vehicle.

This film starts off like an extremely poignant drama. The bond between Richard Pryor and Ray Sharkey in the POW camp is seamlessly acted. The musical score by Patrick Williams is outstanding and very sad. The films middle is just as good, with very moving parts with Pryor returning from war to deal with problems with his mother, his wife, and his life. However, after this the film goes awry. The films keeps its respectability however, because Pryor is such a good actor.

After five years as a POW in Hanoi, Army Corporal Richard Pryor is rescued and returns to the States a hero (he makes the evening news after a journalist suggests he bend and kiss the ground). Still, heroes don't linger long in a busy world, and soon Pryor is fighting for his self-worth after the government turns their back on him and his wife admits she's moved on with her life. Serio-comic adaptation of James Kirkwood Jr.'s novel by Kirkwood and Robert Boris makes an uneasy vehicle for the star, who is encouraged to go deeper as an actor yet still retain his naughty persona and signature foul mouth. The character's imprisonment under the Vietcong takes up thirty minutes of screen-time (far too long), while the limply dramatic stuff with the unfaithful Mrs. chews up another ten. Pryor has some strong scenes here and there, but he's relying on externals to get him through. He allows himself to be vulnerable and loving, and this works up to a point, yet the feel-good ending is a cheat (larceny cures all!) and a romance with Beverly Hills hooker Margot Kidder (who appears to have no other clients) is rather unlikely. ** from ****

Richard Pryor and Margot Kidder act in this film about a POW who returns home to the United States particularly Los Angeles, California dealing with his wife and mother. The film has a great cast such as Olivia Cole, Lynne Moody and Anne Haney in supporting roles. Richard Pryor was a terrific actor as well as comedian. This film was on a DVD that I found at the store. It's a great little gem of a movie.

Richard Pryor spent half a decade as a POW in Vietnam. Now he's back in the US, and he's a hero. Except that his wife has walked out on him, his mother is in a nursing home and they want more money, the Army is taking its time on anything except for using him in press conferences and the bank he asks for a loan won't grant it. The only person willing to actually help is Margot Kidder, a high-class call girl, and he names her profession baldly.

Watching Pryor in a straight role is interesting. He plays the same sort of character he does in his comedies, hapless and out of his depth, but without the air of hysteria that informs his comedy. The result is a telling satire of the growing disconnect between the promise of America and the reality.