The Stunt Man

Movie Name: The Stunt Man
Year of Release: 1980
Director: Richard Rush
Starring: Peter O'Toole, Barbara Hershey, Steve Railsback, Allen Garfield, Alex Rocco, Sharon Ferrell, Philip Bruns, Charles Bail, John Garwood, Jim Hess
Genre: Action, Comedy
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 4
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Synopsis and Review:

Based on the novel by Paul Brodeur, Richard Rush's adaptation of "The Stunt Man" follows the story of Cameron, a Vietnam veteran who is wanted by the police for attempted murder. While running from the law, he finds himself lured by a film currently being shot, focused on the adventures of a charismatic central character during World War I. He makes the acquaintance of Eli Cross, the director of the film, who invites him to become a stunt man, following an accident which occurred with a previous team member (someone who coincidentally almost ran over Cameron). While Cameron is fearful that the iconic director is selling him out to the police, Eli persuades him of the contrary, and starts performing the stunts asked of him. He also starts a romantic relationship with Nina, the movie's leading lady. Nina, who had had a relationship with Eli, falls in love with Cameron, who in turn tells her the reason why the police is after him. As they set out a plan to escape the set, they're stopped in their tracks by the police, forcing Cameron to go through the last, and most dangerous stunt in the film, involving a car going off a bridge, and the driver escaping unharmed.

Richard Rush, who passed away recently, had a lengthy career which started in the 1960s. While not very prolific, "The Stunt Man" was the film which garnered him the most attention. While the film definitely holds a certain fascination, particularly with the film within the film aspect, and the larger than life persona perfectly embodied by Peter O'Toole, it's nonetheless a film that lacks much insight into any of the characters. While the narrative focuses on the slightly perpetually lost and bewildered Cameron, his character is never truly given much dimension, or for that matter, explanation as to why he seems to be constantly angry/maniacal at the world. Peter O'Toole's Eli Cross character, ends up being the salvaging aspect of the narrative, since there's this whole aspect of slightly over the top maestro he's embodying, all the with sole purpose of getting his vision executed perfectly. This however is simply not enough, and the film ends up having a surprisingly shallow view of the film making world, while also never really working as a suspense narrative involving the central anti-hero. Steve Railsback is also poorly cast in the film, since he embodies the character almost like a psychotic, on the verge of breakdown, runaway, with only a semblance of normalcy when he's with Barbara Hershey's Nina (who sadly has very little to do throughout the entire film). It's a film that tries to be many things simultaneously, but sadly can never find its tone. Worth watching for Peter O'Toole's performance.