Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 18, 1990 TAG: 9004180184
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Mike Mayo
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Fans of Ed McBain's "87th Precinct" novels may surprised by\ "Blood Relatives." This 1978 Canadian film had only a limited theatrical release, but it translates well to the small screen. McBain writes realistic police procedurals marked by absorbing plots and deft characterization. Director Claude Chabrol captures both of those elements.
The surprise for McBain's readers comes in the casting of Donald Sutherland as detective Steve Carella. Burt Reynolds played Carella in the 1972 film, "Fuzz." In that one, the strong comic element put an odd spin on McBain's story, but at least Reynolds looked like Carella. In "Blood Relatives," Sutherland takes a more intellectual approach to the character. As a long-time McBain fan, I found him a little off-putting at first, though it's not a major flaw.
The story is solid, of course, and the telling of it by Chabrol and co-writer Sydney Banks remains true to the source. McBain's recurring theme of innocence warped into evil is strong throughout and so is his somewhat dispassionate point of view.
The plot revolves around a murder and a sexual relationship between cousins. Donald Pleasance and David Hemmings provide their usual excellent supporting work. Lisa Langlois and Stephanie Audran are very good, too.
All in all, "Blood Relatives" is a well-produced and satisfying adaptation.
That is absolutely not the case with\ "Final Notice." This unreleased film, which may have been made for TV, is based on one of Jonathan Valin's Harry Stoner mysteries. It's so bad I'm surprised it was even released on video. This isn't just a bad movie; it's an embarrassment to anyone who was connected with it, except jazzman Tom Scott whose score isn't bad.
Everything else about "Final Notice" stinks. For openers, the film was poorly cast. Gil Gerard, TV's Buck Rogers, is too old, chubby and well-dressed to play Stoner, and Melody Anderson, as the librarian heroine, is even worse. Their overacting is appalling but forgiveable because the script is so sloppily written and stupidly plotted. Valin's books deserve better.
Mystery fans will do better if they take a look through the older titles at the video store. One gem is\ "Harper," which was made in 1966 and is simply one of the best private eye movies ever.
As the title character, Paul Newman was never better. The movie was adapted from Ross MacDonald's "Lew Archer" character, but the name was changed because Newman liked the letter "H" in his titles then. Newman was surrounded by a flawless supporting cast including Lauren Bacall at her iciest, Shelley Winters, Strother Martin as Claude the Holy Man, Robert Webber, Julie Harris, Janet Leigh, Arthur Hill, and Robert Wagner who is surprisingly effective. Even Pamela Tiffin, the prototypical starlet, is absolutely right for her part.
Johnny Mandel's music is memorable mid-60s pop-jazz. Veteran director Jack Smight tells most of the story in a straightforward style but he throws in a few unexpected flourishes. (Observant viewers, however, will notice one small visual mistake; the front license plate on Harper's car changes from scene to scene.)
William Goldman's script is smart and funny, with some wicked one-liners. The opening scene is justly famous, but the conclusion is even better. That's where so many mysteries run into trouble, but this one is perfect. For many of us who saw it for the first time on the big screen, way back when, it was one of our first experiences with moral ambiguity. The years have not dimmed it.
"Harper" stands up well to a second or third viewing. In fact, seeing it again will remind you just how valuable your VCR is.
Garbo videography:
Greta Garbo, who died earlier this week, was indeed one of the last of the true Hollywood legends. She made 27 films in Europe and America, but only 10 of them are available on tape now. Some of her best, including "Queen Christina," have not made the move yet, but they probably will very soon.
"Gosta Berling's Saga" (1925, Swedish) Video Yesterday
"The Joyless Street" (1925, German) Video Yesterday
"Flesh and the Devil" (1927) MGM/UA
"Wild Orchids" (1929) MGM/UA
"Anna Christie" (1930) MGM/UA
"Grand Hotel" (1932) MGM/UA
"Anna Karenina" (1935) MGM/UA
"Camille" (1936) MGM/UA
"Ninotchka" (1939) MGM/UA
"That's Entertainment, Part II" (1976) MGM/UA
THE ESSENTIALS:\ `Blood Relatives': UAV. 94 min. Rated R for profanity and strong subject matter.\ `Final Notice': DUD. Paramount. 88 min. Unrated, contains some profanity and violence.\ `Harper': Warner. 119 min. Unrated, contains mild profanity and violence.
by CNB