Candy

This is a hysterical low-budget film with performances by big name actors the likes of which you will never see again. There will never be another like it unless the 60's return- not likely. No doubt the film languished in obscurity on account of embarrassing performances, e.g., a drunken Richard Burton licking booze off the floor of a glass bottom limo. Now there is an image! Luckily, it has once again seen the light of day. Sure, there are flaws, but there are some classic scenes, e.g., James Coburn's performance as a surgeon! Even the ludicrous casting of Ringo Starr as a mexican is worth watching; we are perverse enough to stare at car wrecks aren't we? Nothing is sacred- everything is mocked: the medical profession, the military, higher education, family values, eastern philosophy, film making, etc. Light up and have some fun for goodness sakes!

I thought I'd seen all the wacky 60's post-code anti-establishment satires, but strangely never heard of this film until recently. It starts off great, with Richard Burton (McPhisto) with wind constantly blowing thru his hair no matter where he happens to be, squaring off with John Astin as Candy's square father Mr. Christian. Expect tons of name puns like that, and way loads of social satire against all the 6 food groups of establishment authority figures (Military, Doctors, Beaurocrats, Teachers, Cops and Spiritual Healers) and see what they all have in common, namely hypocrisy and Candy.

This seems to be a sequel of sorts to The Magic Christian in not only author, but style and attitude as well. (Ringo Starr is coincidentally or purposely in both films). Its also reminiscent of Harold and Maude, O Lucky Man, Brewster Mcloud, Holy Mountain (okay, a tiny bit) and half a dozen other late 60's satirical and somewhat surreal comedies.

Who needs a linear plot when you have great social satire performed by top actors (Marlon Brando, James Coburn, Walter Matthau)? And Candy is as cute as the proverbial button to boot!

Great psychedelic soundtrack by The Byrds and others as well.

I'll buy the DVD (if its out yet) and file it next to my copies of "Beyond The Valley of the Dolls" and the Monkees' "Head"

In case you've never seen this film before or just forgot, that stands for "Special reconnaissance tactical parachute command" according to the Walter Matthau character in this fun film that so many love to trash. I saw this film in 1969 when it was released (though I suspect that it was actually 68 before I joined the Air Force) and still remember gags like the restaurant Candy steps into and orders a Coke. The words on the window say, "Sicilian cooking our specialty" and the bartender, a surly looking guy if memory serves, busts the neck of the Coke bottle off the end of the bar and pours it into a glass for the heroine to her surprise. Being half Sicilian, I howled at this hysterically funny bit.

Now mind you, I won't tell you this is any sort of masterpiece comic or otherwise, but pay attention particularly to the dual performance of John Astin, vastly underrated comic actor and former husband to Patty Duke and father of Sean. His seedy uncle and prissy conservative dad are well worth the price of a rental at least, but for the music, you MUST buy the DVD if you love awesome 60's rock, since the album is almost impossible to find now.

Brando as a phony guru chewing on a salami and washing it down with a cold beer saying. "You must go beyond hunger - beyond thirst" while the hungry and HOT Ewa Aulin complains of hunger is a gem of a scene, along with Burton's WAYYYYY over the top Dylan Thomas type poet.

Mark here that a scene in the overrated "American Pie" of sex on a pool table was done better here where you actually SAW the act, and not just heard about it while characters were supposed to be seeing it.

All in all, those who choose to hate this film, get a sense of humor. It was never meant to be more than mindless entertainment, and on that level succeeds above and beyond. I could care less if it followed the book or not. I found IT disappointing.

As putrid as reputed, a singularity of excess. I loved it!

I do not know the details of Candy's production, but I suspect that the bulk of the scenes were shot with only one take. That is the only explanation I can conjure.

I only knew of this film by way of seeing the trailer at a drive-in in the 60s. The images sparked my 10-year-old imagination, particularly James Coburn flipping off the operating room gallery and the loud rock music. I had to see it! I finally found a limited edition DVD copy on eBay and snapped it up.

How can you not like this movie?? those who criticize it seem to claim it is a superficial sex-romp through the 60's counter culture.Well duh! that's what makes it great.

Seriously, its like if in 40 years, film critics try to asses the cultural validity of 'Dude where's my Car'. Candy wasn't meant to be a masterpiece- just a funny movie with some T and A.

Though if you're gonna be a snob about it, the last 10 minutes of the movie is actually close to brilliant. See it and you'll know what i mean. Visually and content-wise, this movie pushed boundaries. Plus, i bet it would be a lot better while high.