Remains a Gem
Added 3/13/2009
Jane Fonda's classic performance remains entrancing decades after the film's release. For "Klute," she won the Oscar, Golden Globe, National Society of Film Critics & New York Film Critics Circle awards. Her performance as Bree Daniels triumphed over other Oscar nominees Julie Christie, Glenda Jackson, Vanessa Redgrave & Janet Suzman. Critic Pauline Kael called her the finest actress of her generation. Jane Fonda seems electrically wired, moving with lightning speed between emotions & intentions. She's incredible to watch. One classic moment is where she pauses during work with a man on top of her long enough to check the time & then resumes without missing a beat. While the film is good, Fonda makes it remarkable.
Donald Sutherland's performance as detective John Klute is so understated that it is easy to miss how well he performs. At moments, you see the hunger he has in his eyes for Bree; at others, compassion. The scene where he returns tape recordings, she tries to demean him by seeing if he'd been seduced by the big city. Klute shoots back that her response is "pathetic."
Charles Cioffi does a good job as Peter Cable, the wealthy businessman. Andy & David Lewis had an Oscar nomination for their original screenplay. Director Alan J. Pakula gives us a gritty drama that is part character study, part thriller. While the clothing styles may become dated, Fonda's brilliant performance remains a gem. Enjoy!
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A SUBTLE, CHARACTER-DRIVEN THRILLER
Added 3/7/2009
Pakula built the suspense quietly in this film, but it is the fascinating complexities of Fonda's, and Sutherland's characters that elevate the movie far beyond the average who-done-it, detective pic it could have been. Fonda, in particular, is simply astonishing as Bree, a call girl, and aspiring actress. The dialogue is also refreshingly crisp, provocative, and intelligent. It is a must for any Fonda, or Sutherland fan.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Boring Murder Mystery
Added 3/6/2009
The film begins with a running tape recorder, then we see a dinner party. Next there is questioning about a missing man. Did he live a double life? Then we hear a tape recording. Next girls are being inspected for advertising. [What do models do off-camera?] "Wow, that sounds fantastic!" Mission accomplished. Bree Daniels gets a harassing phone call at midnight. Who can it be? [No caller id.] The next morning John Klute arrives to ask Miss Daniels some questions. She visits her therapist and discusses her life. Who is tapping her wire? The film moves on slowly. [The natural lighting suggests reality, as if this was not a Hollywood film.] We hear the sordid details of her life. Is someone watching? [Why would she care?]
The story and the search plods on. Will Klute get too deeply involved? [Did you get a clue to that older man?] There are scenes of a crowded party. Klute reports his results. There is a surprise afterwards. Then the film plods on. Bree speaks to her therapist again. Would anybody search Bree's apartment? They analyze the typewritten notes for personal characteristics. Can Klute set a trap for the murderer? [Was that textile manufacturer under-reporting income?] Does that man have a responsible position? Is he a terrible man? Does he make a confession? Does he record conversations on tape to relive his thrills? [Is it all very sick?] Will Klute rescue the damsel in distress for a happy ending? [Does anyone care?]
There are a couple of actors who became better known. This story could have been better and the film faster paced. While the story of business rivalry seems valid, it is unlikely that the body of Tom Grunnerman would disappear without a trace. Hunters and gatherers of wild crops are famous for discovering lost bodies or skeletons. See "The Parallax View" for a much better murder mystery film.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Klute movie review
Added 1/27/2009
This is a movie filled with suspense. Jane Fonda plays a likeable call girl with Donald Sutherland as a less worldly detective, investigating a friend's disappearance. I highly recommend this DVD.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Fonda's awesome but I did doze off
Added 12/15/2008
Klute was a real treat for me to watch. Fonda was dynamite. Hollywood acting now seems to hide behind fast camera-work and scene breaks; Fonda did not. During some parts, I felt uncomfortable watching because Fonda put on such a fantastic performance as Bree Daniels, a prostitute. The long, unbroken camera shots create an intimacy between you as the observer and Fonda as the performer. Yet, staying true to her character, you never get close to truly understanding Bree Daniels. Donald Sutherland also puts on a stoic performance as Klute, the quiet protective detective (hey, that rhymes). The bulk of my movie experience deals with blockbusters and quirky romantic comedies, so the unbroken long camera shots and smart psychological (? I'm at a lost for good, descriptive words) script were a real treat. I did doze off though. Four solid stars.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Remains a Gem
Added 3/13/2009
Jane Fonda's classic performance remains entrancing decades after the film's release. For "Klute," she won the Oscar, Golden Globe, National Society of Film Critics & New York Film Critics Circle awards. Her performance as Bree Daniels triumphed over other Oscar nominees Julie Christie, Glenda Jackson, Vanessa Redgrave & Janet Suzman. Critic Pauline Kael called her the finest actress of her generation. Jane Fonda seems electrically wired, moving with lightning speed between emotions & intentions. She's incredible to watch. One classic moment is where she pauses during work with a man on top of her long enough to check the time & then resumes without missing a beat. While the film is good, Fonda makes it remarkable.
Donald Sutherland's performance as detective John Klute is so understated that it is easy to miss how well he performs. At moments, you see the hunger he has in his eyes for Bree; at others, compassion. The scene where he returns tape recordings, she tries to demean him by seeing if he'd been seduced by the big city. Klute shoots back that her response is "pathetic."
Charles Cioffi does a good job as Peter Cable, the wealthy businessman. Andy & David Lewis had an Oscar nomination for their original screenplay. Director Alan J. Pakula gives us a gritty drama that is part character study, part thriller. While the clothing styles may become dated, Fonda's brilliant performance remains a gem. Enjoy!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
A SUBTLE, CHARACTER-DRIVEN THRILLER
Added 3/7/2009
Pakula built the suspense quietly in this film, but it is the fascinating complexities of Fonda's, and Sutherland's characters that elevate the movie far beyond the average who-done-it, detective pic it could have been. Fonda, in particular, is simply astonishing as Bree, a call girl, and aspiring actress. The dialogue is also refreshingly crisp, provocative, and intelligent. It is a must for any Fonda, or Sutherland fan.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Boring Murder Mystery
Added 3/6/2009
The film begins with a running tape recorder, then we see a dinner party. Next there is questioning about a missing man. Did he live a double life? Then we hear a tape recording. Next girls are being inspected for advertising. [What do models do off-camera?] "Wow, that sounds fantastic!" Mission accomplished. Bree Daniels gets a harassing phone call at midnight. Who can it be? [No caller id.] The next morning John Klute arrives to ask Miss Daniels some questions. She visits her therapist and discusses her life. Who is tapping her wire? The film moves on slowly. [The natural lighting suggests reality, as if this was not a Hollywood film.] We hear the sordid details of her life. Is someone watching? [Why would she care?]
The story and the search plods on. Will Klute get too deeply involved? [Did you get a clue to that older man?] There are scenes of a crowded party. Klute reports his results. There is a surprise afterwards. Then the film plods on. Bree speaks to her therapist again. Would anybody search Bree's apartment? They analyze the typewritten notes for personal characteristics. Can Klute set a trap for the murderer? [Was that textile manufacturer under-reporting income?] Does that man have a responsible position? Is he a terrible man? Does he make a confession? Does he record conversations on tape to relive his thrills? [Is it all very sick?] Will Klute rescue the damsel in distress for a happy ending? [Does anyone care?]
There are a couple of actors who became better known. This story could have been better and the film faster paced. While the story of business rivalry seems valid, it is unlikely that the body of Tom Grunnerman would disappear without a trace. Hunters and gatherers of wild crops are famous for discovering lost bodies or skeletons. See "The Parallax View" for a much better murder mystery film.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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