They're well-meaning but they can be pretty heavy handed, spelling out ideas (or really beliefs) in blunt fashion. I remember that happening a lot in Hud and wishing he'd dramatize more of his ideas or at least deliver them in cinematic fashion rather than laying them out through dialogue. (Douglas in particular moralizes in every one of his scenes.)Beloved Aunt wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2026 3:46 pmWhat are your reservations, hearthesilence? I've been pretty impressed with what I've seen of his work--although Hud isn't his best effort, certainly, and I do agree with Domino that Sounder is a wonderful but overrated film.hearthesilence wrote: Wed Apr 15, 2026 9:49 pm The bonuses on Ritt should be welcome. tbh I have strong reservations about his films (including this one)
Howe's work arguably brings out these shortcomings - his cinematography is beautiful, but most of the time it's dressing up the film rather than acting like a vessel for its ideas.
Having said that, Newman's really good in this, even though I can see what he means about his earlier work and agree he improved as an actor as he got older. But he's one of the most photogenic men to ever star in movies, and he's all the more effective for it. I realize many swooned over him as eye candy, but his brooding and unsettled close-ups really are powerful, especially in the striking black & white photography of this film and (by far my personal favorite) The Hustler. He's likely a case of a theatrical actor at heart who delivered better performances on-screen than on stage.
