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September 27 A Slap Happy Paul Newman
I'm so overwhelmed by the passing of Paul Newman -- the career, the philanthropy, the gorgeous, iconic man himself -- that I'm not sure where to start. So many Newman roles are not only brilliant, but mean a lot to me personally including, "Hud" (where he's the most charming son of a bitch you'd ever want to meet, or if you're smart, not want to meet), the fun, sad and inspiring Christ parable "Cool Hand Luke," the uber-cool yet moody and complicated "The Hustler," "The Verdict" (which has one of the greatest openings in screen history -- Newman playing that pinball machine) and some of his less talked about pictures, like "Pocket Money" (with Lee Marvin) or the underrated "Sometimes a Great Notion" (which he skillfully and beautifully directed). I'll be writing more about these pictures, but for now, I'm returning to a Newman performance that fills me with such happiness, that it occasionally surprises me with its gritty, twinkling power. It's a sports picture after all, and though beloved by legions of fans, feels under-appreciated -- George Roy Hill's hockey classic "Slap Shot". "Slap Shot" is not only the greatest sports film ever made (period) but one of Newman's greatest roles within his long, outstanding career. And it boasts the greatest use of that Maxine Nightingale song -- a tune that shouldn't be allowed in any other motion picture ever again. I can only picture cold busses, booze, rust brown flairs, Newman's fur trimmed leather jackets and Strother Martin while hearing this song -- and that's how it should be. And again, there’s star Paul Newman who, in his older, ruggedly handsome visage, carries the picture with an odd sort of foul-mouthed dignity we simply don't see in movies these days (and so naturally -- if an actor is doing blue, it's always so damn obvious). Playing a middle-aged minor league hockey player/coach, he’s a tough, quick-witted guy, but in quieter moments, touchingly doubtful about his future. He’s attempting to save his washed-up team, and that requires, not surprisingly for hockey, a need to amp up the brutality. Read the rest of my Newman "Slap Shot" ode here. --posted by Kim
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