O Último Acerto

For those of you who are familiar with Rip Torn as irascible and authoritarian yet lovable characters such as Artie in "The Larry Sanders Show" and Zed in "Men in Black" be prepared for a shock. In this film there is nothing likable about Torn's character Maury Dann, a country singer currently on tour through the south. There is no wisdom behind his cynicism - he is all about using people. Specifically he is all about indulging in all the sex and substance abuse he can without regard to what it does to others. His life takes a turn to an even darker place when the boyfriend of one of his one-night stands catches up with him in a restaurant one day. This is one of those character study films that were very popular in the 1970's, and Torn does a great job playing a totally ruthless individual who has a totally different on-stage persona from his actual personality. He even does a fine job singing the country and western songs. Payday was directed by 1974 National Society of Film Critics Award winner Daryl Duke.

It's a hidden gem worth seeking out.

Occasionally, in the Art of Movie Making, all things come Together with a Synchronistic Symmetry and the Result is a Near-Perfect Picture that seems as Well Crafted as it Possibly could be.

This happens, No Matter the Budget, Production Capabilities, or the Artisans Applying Their Craft. This is one of those Movies.

A Gritty, Early Seventies Character Study of a Merle Haggard Style Country Music Singer. A Mid-Level Star that Humps the Highways Playing Honky Tonks and the Sort, and with His Charming Crusty Ways, takes Advantage of Anyone on His Path to one more Payday.

It's that Payday, along with Pills and Alcohol, that Fuels the Folks in the Band and the Entourage that is Small enough to fit into a Cadillac and one more Trailing Vehicle.

Rip Torn Simply Embodies the Type and becomes completely Lost in the Role. He's "In the Skin" of this Self-Centered Warbler as He Encounters Groupies, Payola DJ's, and some Irate and Hostile Folks who Don't Care much for His Lecherous Ways.

The Movie is Mesmerizing with its Neo-Realism and Not One Scene seems Forced or Faked. The Dialog Crackles with Down Home Cynicism and Playful, Uneducated Insight, Fractured by a Hard Reality Colliding with the Hard Living.

A Compelling, Watchable, Car-Wreck of Real People Realizing the World Around Them and What They Want isn't always What They Got Coming. A Must See, Little Known, B-Movie that hasn't lost a bit of its Edge. Primitive Movie Making at its Best.

I saw this on the big screen at AFI in Washinton D.C. and was blown away. From what I've ready about life on the road in the seventies, this movie recreates the itinerate life of outlaw musicians like Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, etc, perfectly; Rip Torn is a revelation for those who don't know his work from the 70's when he was thin and charismatic.

I can't think of any film that quite captures the feeling of what it must have been like to be running around on amphetamines and barbiturates in the 70's (which had their peak usage then), from show to show, on a medium size tour circuit complete with one night stands, hanger-ons, fistfights, and various charlatans. The drugs are specific to this period as Qualudes, and various uppers and downers, were being produced legally (albeit with a prescription. This makes for a certain kind of life you could never lead now as the drugs just aren't available like they were then. (Johnny Cash gotten busted I believe in the 70's for smuggling a whole bunch of pills from Mexico). Farewell to a bygone era. If you couldn't be there, this may be your best education.

Rip Torn steals the film and lifts it above its drive-in milieu. It played briefly in NYC and the cast works hard enough to make it a good rental. Many of the actors had only TV credits and this could have been a breakthrough film. It was marketed poorly. It also has a good 'road' feel to it. This road feel could have made it a nifty period piece. Why it never made a punch is hard to tell. However a preview audience in NYC found a lot to like about it, including the Torn character's disregard for the other characters. It's worth a look and should make a good double bill in a rep cinema with Coppola's "You're A Big Boy Now" where Torn and the Lovin' Spoonful soundtrack help to save that film. The film was also released at a time when everybody was trying to "recreate" Easy Rider, et al.

This is an unvarnished look at the life and lifestyle of a country singer who spends all his time on the road,touring. (His character is likely an amalgamation of several of the rowdy country singers of the time) The cheap hotels,cheap restaurants,the rough honky-tonks and bars that he and his group play in are all on display. Not to mention the bar owners,accountants, groupies,fans,and hangers-on that are all part of the life of a travelling band on the road. It is not all pretty I assure you. The main character is a troubled man,he has been out of touch and estranged from his family for years. (Why? Because he has spent the last 5-10 years on the road !) This man has many people counting on him to keep performing,so they all can continue to get paid. A vicious circle indeed ! The movie can be slow in spots,but when it is you can rest assured that something is about to happen,it does keep moving along. The camera work,the angles,lighting and so forth are all well-done. The characters and acting are all believable for the most part. Is this a fantastic film? Maybe not to some viewers,but I think it is at least very good. It is different, entertaining,and rather believable mostly.