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The Great Santini | Year: 1979 Classification: Drama Directed: - Lewis John Carlino Actors/Actresses: - Robert Duvall - Blythe Danner Very Complex Family Drama Robert Duvall pretty much confirms his status as a great actor in this movie. The Great Santini is definitely one of the highlights of Duvall's career, as his character is one of the most complex and energetic ever put on film. Just the simple extremes of emotion, the various characteristics that Duvall effectively portrayed make this an immensely powerful movie. The Great Santini is the nom de guerre of Lt. Col. Bull Meechum, an elite Marine fighter pilot. A World War II veteran, Meechum feels out of place in the peacetime armed forces. A man of limitless energy, Meechum quickly takes out his frustration on his son and his family. Passed over for promotion because of yet another rowdy Marine exposition, Meechum is assigned to a squadron based in South Carolina. In the beginning, the Meechum's appear to be a very loving family, held together by the saintly mother, played with domestic grace by Blythe Danner. Meechum is a very strict, but an ultimately loving and dedicated father. However, as we soon learn, the reality is much more complex than that. It soon becomes clear that Meechum's dedication to family order and obedience is more disturbing than loving. He wants his family to be a mirror of a Marine unit, where he is the unquestioned leader. Meechum also puts a high level of pressure on his oldest son, played masterfully by Michael O'Keefe. His son is going to succeed on every level, no matter the consequences. Meechum also has an alcohol problem, which often prompts him to fly into violent rages against his other children and his wife. A very interesting side story is that of the young Meechum and a black neighbor whom he befriends. This friendship is unheard of in pre civil rights South Carolina, but the Meechum's are relatively civilized folks. The eventual outcome is disturbing on many levels, and gives the movie a very sour tinge. The movie eventually reaches a crisis point, where the elder Meechum males confront each other in a violent way. This movie does not give the viewer many easy answers, nor does it declare any real moral authority. The story makes the viewer determine many themes for him or herself. If I had one real complaint about this movie, it would be that the ending and the action leading up to it was too brief to really finish such a complex tale. I was a little disappointed at the simplicity of the ending. But, all in all, this is a very mature and very interesting movie. one film that has it all The Great Santini is a rare example of a film that aims to be every kind of film and succeeds. It is a hilarious comedy. The mushroom soup scene with Bull Meechum (Robert Duvall) can induce uncontrollable laughter. The 'bare our souls' scene between Meechum and his eldest daughter is a classic. The 'Private Toilet' scene is good for a few laughs as well. It is a deep drama. Marion (Blythe Danner) is caught up with Ben's (Michael O'Keefe) coming of age and Bull's aging to come. Mother, Son, and Father adjust to the changes that time brings to any family, and with great difficulty. It is a sentimental film. Ben's early wakening on his birthday shows a different side the character Duval portrays. The friendship between Ben and Tumor show sentimentality as well, as does Ben's final confrontation with Bull. It is a fair action film. The fighter plane scenes take a back seat, but the confrontation between Tumor and Red turns deadly. The action scenes make up a small part of this film, but they are an integral part. It is a penetrating tragedy as well. Ben learns to confront fear and death and comes to understand his father, but quite late. His growth is difficult and untimely. These elements come together to make a fair storyline into a grand film. The diverse elements of this film work together in a way that takes its' audience on a fascinating trip through the lives of a military family. The varying tone makes it all seem more real- the mood of the film changes from scene to scene, just as our moods change from day to day. Most importantly, Robert Duvall gives a fine performance. His character is by far the most important. The peculiarity of this man who goofs around with fellow Marines like he is at home and runs his private home like a barracks sets up all the comedy and much of the drama and sentimentality. The tragedy and action revolve around this as well. The combination of these elements into a single film was masterful. The acting and cinematography of this film matched the brilliance of its' production and choreography. There is hardly a finer film that you could watch. WOW This movie is so touching, words cannot describe it! Rarely movies make me cry but this one did! There was such powerful acting and I was completey drawn to the characters. Robert Duvall was amazing and brilliantly displayed himself as the great santini. A marvelous job for O'Keefe as Billy. He definately moved me, what a great actor. This movie has got to be the most powerful i've seen in awhile! Wow! Buy The Great Santini at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Great Santini Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Great Santini This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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