How I felt about it. It's Nicholson during his glory years, which were sandwiched between Easy Rider and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. True to the types of roles he played during his best run, he is a hardened man of the world, but able to turn on the charm, and even express sympathy. When things go wrong, however, there are flashes of anger and insolence in his character.
It's classic Nicholson, and he chews up the scenery. Quaid, in an early screen appearance, is more meek and less outrageous than his later roles. But since he is a criminal, he is prone to reckless and self-defeating acts.
Otis Young is second bananna, and he knows it. The chip on his shoulder, and his disillusionment is kept within limits by his pride in a naval career, and his status as a veteran.
Both Nicholson and Young feel sorry for Quaid, who has been made an example by a tough Navy officer. Young simply wants to get the detail behind him, but Nicholson has other ideas. He wants to toughen Quaid up to prepare him for prison. He also wants to give him a taste of life, meaning women, something that the sheltered Quaid has little understanding of, and certainly won't experience in his upcoming hard time.
Quaid takes to carousing and women "like a duck to water," in the words of his prostitute, a young Carol Kane. His coming of age is bittersweet, though, since a long prison term looms before him.
Nicholson's bravura isn't really a show for Quaid's sake. He won't let his guard down for anyone, even when the tough guy persona isn't working. Quaid doesn't get served a beer at the bar, and Nicholson goes nowhere in his efforts to impress his cornered prey at a party, a pretty brunette. If he gets into trouble, his Plan B is to turn up the heat, until the other party backs down.
How others will see it. Military stereotypes of male toughness are reinforced. Most will watch this film for the sake of Nicholson, who won't let them down. Those who hope for a moment of revelation (such as Nicholson dropping his front) or a surprise (such as Quaid proving something other than a dupe) will be mildly disappointed.
The Last Detail probably inspired teens to take taxicabs to ask the driver where the local whorehouse was. But they probably never got past the response, "I don't know what you're talking about." Needless to say, some things are more easily accomplished in a movie.