The Candidate

With no viable candidate to challenge the juggernaut Republican incumbent in the California Senatorial race, an affable, idealistic attorney (Robert Redford) and son of the former governor is tapped to run. Given the promise that he will have free reign over his campaign, he swears off his lifelong aversion to politics and enters the race. As the people respond to his direct manner and the gap closes, he faces incredible temptation to compromise his ideals. Michael Ritchie's The Candidate features Redford at his most starry-eyed, but for a populist film that sets out to be so satirically biting, it is all kind of humdrum and pedestrian.

** 1/2 out ****

Downhill Racer

A cold, insensitive, self-minded skier (Robert Redford) travels to Switzerland and joins the American squad and their hard-edged coach (Gene Hackman) as an injury replacement. Soon, through skill and dubious, unscrupulous methods, he glides his way to Olympic glory. Michael Ritchie's Downhill Racer is a relevant as ever treatise on bloodthirsty competition which strives for verite like realism (I liked how Hackman would flub a word or two during a heated argument or a hand would graze the camera lens during a crash sequence) but keeps its story in the background somewhat. Redford's role is a significant departure for his typically moralistic leading roles and his character's quiet, unabashed narcissism is quite jolting. Hackman is excellent is a supporting role and the film also boasts incredible photography and ski sequences which literally caused my heart to skip a beat during every wipeout.

*** 1/2 out of ****

The Bad News Bears

At first glance, The Bad News Bears may seem like a routine sports film but after viewing it is clear that it is more than that. On top of being an intelligent if crude film, it also makes a statement on competitiveness in little league sports. Walter Matthau plays the beer swilling ex-minor leaguer hired to coach the Bears--the worst team in the most competitive California pee-wee league. After initial disastrous results, Coach Buttermaker brings in a few ringers and employs bush league tactics with his players and finds himself in the championship game, only to have his conscience eat at him. Matthau is in fine form in one of his most popular roles, and there are many laughs to be had in addition to much more if you look beyond the surface.
***