Deliverance
2.5/4
Starring: Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox
Rated R for Strong Disturbing Violence including Rape and Some Language
I've heard "Deliverance" described as a "classic" in some circles. Such a description confounds me. While there are some intense scenes and a little philosophical musings in the first act (which always impresses the critics, although none of it is developed or enlightening), the film is a bore. The themes and ideas that the film is built upon are trite, and they've been done better in other films. "Deliverance" brings to mind a number of later films, including "The Descent," for reasons which are obvious (including a word for word line that serves the same purpose), "A Simple Plan," and, surprisingly, "I Know What You Did Last Summer." All three of those movies are superior to "Deliverance."
The Cahulawassee River is about to be dammed up, turning much of it into one huge lake. Four friends, peaceful Ed (Voight), mountain man wannabe Lewis (Reynolds), arrogant Bobby (Beatty) and geeky Drew (Cox), decide to take a canoe trip before the dam is completed. They meet some locals (which include the dueling banjo scene) and proceed to make fun of them for being hillbillys, doing little to hide it. After a day of canoeing, Ed and Bobby see some men in the woods, and go to investigate. This stupid decision, and a few others, force them into the fight of their lives.
There are definitely some suspenseful scenes in this film, and its most infamous one is tough to watch. But the film is nowhere near as intense as it should be.
First off, there is little character development. Director John Boorman takes his time introducing the four main characters, but the script by James Dickey (based on his novel) is thin on that side of things, so it just ends up being boring. Second, what we do know of the characters doesn't endear them to us. They're all jerks (especially Lewis and Bobby), so it's hard to get us invested in their fates.
Finally, John Boorman's direction is lacking. Instead of putting us right in the middle of the story, Boorman's style does the opposite. We're always looking at the story from a clinical point of view, and feel no real connection to the characters.
The acting is fine, although all of them get drowned out by the scenery. With a cast like this, even early on in their careers, that's a little surprising.
"Deliverance's" reputation is overblown. The film's most intense scenes are a little shocking, but not nearly as much as they could have been because it's impossible to feel anything for them.
Starring: Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox
Rated R for Strong Disturbing Violence including Rape and Some Language
I've heard "Deliverance" described as a "classic" in some circles. Such a description confounds me. While there are some intense scenes and a little philosophical musings in the first act (which always impresses the critics, although none of it is developed or enlightening), the film is a bore. The themes and ideas that the film is built upon are trite, and they've been done better in other films. "Deliverance" brings to mind a number of later films, including "The Descent," for reasons which are obvious (including a word for word line that serves the same purpose), "A Simple Plan," and, surprisingly, "I Know What You Did Last Summer." All three of those movies are superior to "Deliverance."
The Cahulawassee River is about to be dammed up, turning much of it into one huge lake. Four friends, peaceful Ed (Voight), mountain man wannabe Lewis (Reynolds), arrogant Bobby (Beatty) and geeky Drew (Cox), decide to take a canoe trip before the dam is completed. They meet some locals (which include the dueling banjo scene) and proceed to make fun of them for being hillbillys, doing little to hide it. After a day of canoeing, Ed and Bobby see some men in the woods, and go to investigate. This stupid decision, and a few others, force them into the fight of their lives.
There are definitely some suspenseful scenes in this film, and its most infamous one is tough to watch. But the film is nowhere near as intense as it should be.
First off, there is little character development. Director John Boorman takes his time introducing the four main characters, but the script by James Dickey (based on his novel) is thin on that side of things, so it just ends up being boring. Second, what we do know of the characters doesn't endear them to us. They're all jerks (especially Lewis and Bobby), so it's hard to get us invested in their fates.
Finally, John Boorman's direction is lacking. Instead of putting us right in the middle of the story, Boorman's style does the opposite. We're always looking at the story from a clinical point of view, and feel no real connection to the characters.
The acting is fine, although all of them get drowned out by the scenery. With a cast like this, even early on in their careers, that's a little surprising.
"Deliverance's" reputation is overblown. The film's most intense scenes are a little shocking, but not nearly as much as they could have been because it's impossible to feel anything for them.
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