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Harry and Tonto is available on DVD. Above is the trailer for the film, uploaded to YouTube by Mazurskyfilm.
Obscurity factor: 7 (somewhat known for it's Oscar winning performance by Carney, otherwise largely forgotten, on DVD)
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Art Carney, Ellen Burstyn & Larry Hagman in Harry and Tonto (1974)
Paul Mazursky has had an interesting career. His work was so relevant to cultural trends in the 60's and 70's. That period of his filmmaking is a remarkable time capsule of the era. This film is part of that, but like his best work, also has something to say about people and relationships. Harry (Art Carney) feels out of place as a septuagenerian in a society increasingly focused on the young. Aside from a few old friends, the only real companion he has left is Tonto, his cat. The brutality of the city has dented and tarnished his life, and when his apartment building is slated for demolition, he has a crisis that is temporarily placated by moving in with his son and his family. The discomfort of the living arrangements drive Harry to a cross country odyssey where he visits friends and family, meets strangers who have gifts for him and learns to shed the identity of a victim and own his power.
This film, for which Carney won a best actor Oscar, made quite an impression on the American public at the time, though it has since fallen into relative obscurity. The "road picture" nature of the film allows for a great series of memorable small parts and cameos. Look for Ellen Burstyn as Harry's daughter, Larry Hagman as his younger son, Geraldine Fitzgerald as an old flame, Chief Dan George as a Native American medicine man, Barbara Rhodes as a hooker and a delightful turn by Melanie Mayron as a runaway.
Harry and Tonto is available on DVD. Above is the trailer for the film, uploaded to YouTube by Mazurskyfilm.
Obscurity factor: 7 (somewhat known for it's Oscar winning performance by Carney, otherwise largely forgotten, on DVD)
Harry and Tonto is available on DVD. Above is the trailer for the film, uploaded to YouTube by Mazurskyfilm.
Obscurity factor: 7 (somewhat known for it's Oscar winning performance by Carney, otherwise largely forgotten, on DVD)
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The title sounds familiar, but after watching the trailer, I can say I've never seen this. Although it does look like a good film :)
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely worth seeing... a real feel good film.
ReplyDeleteI saw it when it came out, and can't remember much about it. The trailer made me want to see it again.
ReplyDeleteIt's very sweet.
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ReplyDeleteI watched this a couple of nights ago on TCM and liked it far more than I would have suspected. (And interestingly, I spotted Paul Mazursky in a cameo as a gay hustler at the bus station -- just as Larry Hagman arrives in the film.)
ReplyDeleteSometimes Mazurski can be a bit overwrought, but this film is spot on...
ReplyDeleteBack in the mid-80s, Mazursky visited our USC film school class, for a special presentation/preview of his feature, "Down and Out in Beverly Hills." His Q & A was quite funny. I have somehow missed this film (but have known about it).
ReplyDeleteThat must have been fun... That's a great film.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how by the 80's the era of the director was definitely over. These early Mazursky films are very much publicized as that, while I had no idea that he had directed Down and Out in Beverly Hills.
ReplyDeleteWhile the "auteur" period definitely saw its heyday in the 60s/70s, I think that some names still resonate when marketing a film....Spielberg, Scorsese, the Cohen brothers and Woody Allen, to name a few. But it is true - when the "bean counters" took over the industry in the 80s, personalized films took a direct hit.
ReplyDeleteJust saw parts of this film as it was ending. Wish I had seen it all the way through. Not sure which channel it was on, possibly AMC? Really interesting premise for a movie, truly unique. Definitely obscure, I've never even heard of it before just now and I'm in my 40's. That's why I was looking it up online. I didn't recognize Art Carney as the lead actor until they rolled the credits. He was outstanding! He deserved the Oscar that he won for this role.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a delightful film... Very warm and positive.
ReplyDeleteI remember it very well. A critical and commercial hit as well. And a feel-good Oscar for Art Carney.
ReplyDeleteIt almost bums me out to see this listed as an obscurity. Granted, it came out before my time...and if I hadn't stumbled on it via Netflix I might not have known about it. Still, this is the rare movie that has the ability to change the way you feel about life. It's never too late to have an adventure, or to face some of your demons. Art definitely earned his Oscar, as he plays every single note of the performance perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI love this movie; thanks for spreading the word about it.