Monday, May 28, 2007

Maybe not a total wuss, but still British: "Get Carter"

You know how some people will describe a movie by saying your patience will be rewarded? And how that usually sounds like -- and is -- a bunch of crap? I'm not saying "Get Carter" backs that claim up for once, but it comes pretty close.


I don't know about you, but I had never heard of this movie until the mostly-panned remake starring Sly Stallone came out a few years back. (Sample line from our favorite master thespian: "My name is Jack Carter, and you don't want to know me.") Turns out the original, made way back in 1971, is well-respected and notable for making the likable Mr. Michael Caine something of a hard case. I almost said "bad ass," but let's not get carried away.


Our story has Caine as some kind of mob guy -- an enforcer, perhaps -- in London who goes back to his hometown when his brother dies. Word is that the guy got drunk and offed himself, but our man Carter thinks different. So he starts asking questions, much to the chagrin of the local organized crime element, as well as his masters back in London town.

I could rattle off some of the other players here, but the only name of note is the fetching Britt Ekland, who engages in a naughty bit of phone play with our antihero. Otherwise, it's a bunch o' other Brits, with King Caine lording above them. And for those of you expecting the dignified butler from "Batman Begins," think again.

Of course, it takes a while to realize this. Curious pacing in "Get Carter." Maybe it's the English thing, but things definitely take some time to get going, so much that I considered cashing out within the first 30 minutes. But then we get that phone thing with Britt, and Carter starts making waves a little more vigorously in his little burg. Before long, things get downright nasty -- especially when Carter pieces everything together. At that point, neither men nor women escape his wrath.

In the end, it's actually a pretty decent story. Reminded me a bit of "Payback/Point Blank," with the whole singleminded pursuit of justice. It also helps that the very proper Caine pulls off the coldhearted thing rather well. Consider this line: "You know, I'd almost forgotten what your eyes looked like. Still the same. Pi$$holes in the snow." Um, "pi$$holes in the snow?" Damn.

Yeah, I have to say I'm glad I stuck with this, if only to see Nigel Powers toss someone off a building, rip open his landlady's blouse and icily inject someone with poison. And you'd think he had gotten over skipping the Oscars to film "Jaws: The Revenge."

1 Comments:

At 11:47 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hadn't seen this in years but rented it again not long after the Stallone version came out.

Agreed on the pacing comment -- British gangster films certainly have a different feel. "The Long Good Friday" with Bob Hoskins may be the best example. "The Krays" is another. Not sure "Get Carter" is the classic that some make it out to be, but it certainly is bleak enough.

Oddly, the lasting thought I came away with after the final scene was "So that's why they don't carry coal to Newcastle."

 

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