Leigh Podgorski

Heart-rending and true. Excellent performances by Lemmon and Remick, as well as Jack Klugman. The alcoholic journey is harrowing and devastating. Though made in 1962, the film holds up well.

Ordinary becomes extraordinary. One of the most powerful films I have ever seen, and absolutely one of the best in it's extraordinary simplicity that shows what it means to be human. The acting, hands down ,is exquisite as is the writing. All in all, if you want to view a film that is extraordinary in it's ordinariness...watch this one. Why it was not nominated for the Oscars with such powerful and simple performances begs the question: Are the Awards truly just a popularity contest. If you wish to view film at its finest, watch this. I am blown away by this film

This film showed an historic time rife with conflict and confusion that engulfed the nation following the rather peaceful period of the counter culture revolution. It should have been powerful. It is absolutely necessary for a look back that defines where we are now. Should have but was not due primarily to the inability to comprehend the vast majority of what the main character Fred Hampton was saying. Where are the assistant directors? The sound engineers? And the disk we viewed had no subtitles or closed captions. This is totally unacceptable. This was my era. My coming of age. This film is crucial, absolutely critical. The abhorrent behavior of the Chicago Police, the FBI, and other authorities continued to make that era taught and tense. But to not be able to understand it because of sloppy diction is beyond the pale. Basic filmmaking 101.

Intriguing idea that could have led to a deep exploration of a psychopath, but the script is so poorly written the film never gets past one dimensional clichés. Dylan Sprouse is worth the price of admission, but the teacher he batters is badly cast and the actor fails to pull off the role. The rest of the cast basically works, riding above this terrible material. I literally said out loud while viewing this film alone, "People just don't act like that." Still, I would recommend it for Sprouse as well as the idea. This could be a great film with three dimensional characters, layered performances, and a dab or two of truthful observation to add dimension.