It's to bad this movie didn't come out 6 years earlier when Rockabilly was still in style. It may have found a young audience. But, this was 1965 and Baby, Rockabilly was dead. So was the Black and White, "Kitchen Sink" drama that haunted British films of late 50's and earlier 60's. (i.e. "Look back in anger" '58 and "This Sporting Life" '63) Color films with contemporary themes were quickly coming into vogue by 1965, as the Flower Children were beginning to bloom. Mcqueen is the coolest, but he may have been just a minute too old for rock and roll, or perhaps it's just that his kind of cool is bigger then rock and roll. Watching him on stage with that guitar is like watching Superman with a golf club. He's got the juice, but he's not sure how to apply it to the task at hand. Maybe he is supposed to look untalented, but it doesn't come off that way. Nevermind the horrid dubbing and title song.
Even so, this is top notch Mcqueen. He's never been as morbidly intriguing, as when he takes that knife and goes after his dead foster mother's buried corpse, set against a creepy Harpsicord solo. It's so intense and over the top, that you can't help but be impressed.
I would only recommend a rental to the truly Mcqueen afflicted. But, for anyone else, it's worth catching on TCM - on a rainy day.
Even so, this is top notch Mcqueen. He's never been as morbidly intriguing, as when he takes that knife and goes after his dead foster mother's buried corpse, set against a creepy Harpsicord solo. It's so intense and over the top, that you can't help but be impressed.
I would only recommend a rental to the truly Mcqueen afflicted. But, for anyone else, it's worth catching on TCM - on a rainy day.