michaelsjmurphy

Kurt Vonnegut has had little luck with the translation of his vision to the wide screen. His style and subjects rarely lend themselves easily to linear film-making, and this adaptation of his best-known novel points up the problems inherent with that fact. A viewer who has never read the book will be hopelessly lost almost from the beginning, as the story line is told from the point of view of a man who has come "unstuck in time." This conceit (where the hero has no control over the order in which he experiences his life), while used to stunning effect in the book, can make for a very muddled FILM, and here sadly, the final product can't be excused for its fidelity to the spirit of the novel. Technically, this film has some high points. The cinematography and designs are excellent, capturing the desolation of Europe engaged in WWII and the isolation of the foot soldier fighting that war, as well as recreating the feel of a bygone time and place. The casting of this film is an eclectic mix, with Michael Sacks giving a convincing, if not memorable performance in the role of Billy Pilgrim. Sharon Gans is wonderful as his overweight and overwrought wife. Ron Liebman provides manic talent here as the hero's main antagonist, and Valerie Perrine demonstrates her lack of acting talent beautifully, ironically playing a talentless actress/centerfold model (and the object of Pilgrim's more prurient desires). Having seen this film on both the big and small screens, I can say that little is lost in the shrinkage.

Rating 6.5/10

I find it difficult to recommend a film more highly. Kubrick's vision of a world teetering on the brink of nuclear apocalypse is in every way a perfect film. It captures the essence of a time, and yet it is not at all dated. It is as funny a film as you will ever watch, but at the same time its message is deadly serious. The acting is uniformly brilliant, led by an incredible triple-threat performance by Peter Sellers. While his characterization of the good doctor is most often pointed at, in my mind it is Sellers' portrayal of President Muffley which shows his true genius. His flat, toneless, midwestern accent was a work of art, as was his ability to communicate through non-verbal cues. In addition, George C. Scott and Sterling Hayden were never better than they were here. But the special mention must go to Kubrick. He took a huge risk with this movie - and turned it into a cultural touchstone. In watching this film, one is struck by the lack of "jokes." Every image, from the "copulating" airplanes to the Nazi salute in the "war room," was intended as a means to further the irony inherent in a comedy about the destruction of civilization. I especially recommend this film to younger viewers, unfamiliar with the concept of "duck and cover" drills and back yard bomb shelters. In this film can be found a valuable history lesson, as well as an object lesson in the art of unified filmaking.

There are few TV "holiday" shows which get me to reach for the TV guide to find out when they are airing. This is one of them. It's sweet, sentimental, honest, and true to the spirit of the season. Schultz wrote a fine script and the original score has come to emblemize the franchise. My rating of "8" (out of 10) is the highest that I allow for a TV program/short on a movie/video scale.