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| Matt Willis |
| Cool Hand Luke USA, 1967 [Stuart Rosenberg] Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin Drama |
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| Small town misfit and war hero Lucas Jackson ends up in prison for 'criminal damage against municipal property' after a particularly excessive drinking session. Despite the rather unusual crime he committed and his generally standoffish attitude he eventually gains the respect of both prisoner and guard alike for his pig-headed beliefs and frequent escape attempts. This is a neat little film which showcases Paul Newman's undoubted talent. His excellent performance as 'Cool Hand' Luke lends much to a film which has been eclipsed recently by the likes of The Shawshank Redemption as the best prison movie ever made. What the film lacks in the depth of it's supporting characters it more than makes up for in audience feeling toward Luke and his desire to find his place in society yet not change his ways. You can't help but love his stubborn arrogance as he goes up against the system and many of the films ideas can be found in better and deeper movies like Shawshank and The Green Mile. It's sad though to think that it is better remembered for the egg-eating scene than for it's symbolism and regard for those who choose to live their lives as social drifters. |
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