Foxtrot

I've seen a lot of Peter O'Toole's movies, but never heard of this one. Charlotte Rampling? One of my favorites, she became more beautiful as she grew older. Here she's fairly young. And Max Von Sydow? How could one ignore this stellar cast so let's plunge in. A strange alternative reality about aristocrats marooned on an island to escape the war in Europe. Costumes are so outlandish they overshadow the actors at first. But gradually you realize the script is somewhat intelligent, a surprise. And the cast eventually overcomes the absurd premise and some real emotions emerge, again a surprise. So in the end the cream rises to the top, the actors make the best of what must have been a strange interlude in their professional lives and Foxtrot ends up being a somewhat fascinating sleeper. I would love to hear the story of the making of this movie, I have a feeling that narrative would be the real winner.

I saw this film at a theatre in Puerto Vallarta. I think it was a 'preview' since I believe it was a year or two earlier than 1976. The movie was introduced by John Huston. I'm not sure what his connection to the movie would have been except that he did frequent PV and other places in Mexico (like Acapulco & Cabo San Lucas) when he was making films. It's possible that Director Arturo Ripstein's English wasn't adequate to address a large crowd (?) but that's purely speculative. I think there were other luminaries in attendance - Houston's family maybe. I think I would have remembered O'Toole and Rampling of von Sydow if they had made an appearance. I went with a group of friends - we were on vacation from Toronto. The action in 'Foxtrot' is slow-paced. I don't think any of us were impressed with the film, but the preview was a big deal for Puerto Vallarta in the mid-seventies. It was an 'occasion'.

This is a bleak movie. It is set on a gorgeous island that contrasts with the rather dark hearts of the characters.

These are not likable characters but they are all quite attractive and flawlessly dressed. Really, the wardrobe is the biggest star here. Charlotte Rampling is exquisitely stunning.

I got frustrated watching the rich white people idle about always drinking while treating the other two men as lessers. It does take a quick turn but this brings down the vibe even more.

My five stars are for the wardrobe, the beauty of Rampling and the island, and the creepy curiosity that is O'Toole. The director may have hit the mark too well in capturing the essence of selfish, entitled people and survival.