Klute (1971) directed by Alan J. Pakula
It's kind of strange that Alan J. Pakula's name is so unfamiliar to me. I didn't even realize this is the third film of his that I've seen in this project (Presumed Innocent, All The President's Men). One would think I would follow up that point with something, but nope, it was really just a ploy to try to get you to click on my old links to boost my page count.
John Klute is a private investigator sent to New York to investigate the disappearance of his friend Tom. He is led to the prostitue Bree Daniels who may be the key to figuring out what happened to him. It is a good old fashioned mystery thriller. As you can tell from the picture, Klute and Bree hook up. I don't think that is really ruining anything because have you ever seen a film about a private investigator keeping tabs on a pretty woman and the two did not get involved? I didn't think so.
What is interesting is that this film is named Klute after Donald Sutherland's character but Jane Fonda's character Bree is unquestionably the main character of the film. In fact, Fonda would win Best Actress for this role and she is quite good. What makes her character interesting is that it is (what I assume) a pretty realistic portrayal of a call girl. She isn't the hooker with a heart of gold archetype like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, but a flawed sometimes even cold and mean woman. She is an aspiring actress but she is addicted to the game. She likes to turn tricks because that is what she is good at, that is when she has the power and the control. There are scenes where she confidently handles her clients with authority and confidence, yet in another scene she admits that she is afraid of the dark and is paranoid all the time. (Her paranoia turns out to be justified though as she is being watched, not just by Klute, but also the mystery man behind it all. Pakula shoots many scenes from afar to indicate she is being watched by this unseen character.)
Klute begins as the investigator out to do his job though you can tell he is intrigued by Bree. However he is kind of a boring character. He doesn't show much emotion or say many words. He is an observer and a listener. In a way he is in the audience with us watching Bree. And by the way, it is pretty amazing how some fathers and sons look so much alike. There was a moment when I thought I was watching an episode of 24 starring Kiefer.
The film has a very eerie feeling to it thanks to its noir style cinematography and creepy music. It all blends perfectly with the mystery aspect of the film. The film is very good at creating this ambiance. It is atmospheric and suspenseful throughout. Can't think of much else to say other than this was a well made and a pleasant surprise from a film I never even heard of.
Grade: B+
It's kind of strange that Alan J. Pakula's name is so unfamiliar to me. I didn't even realize this is the third film of his that I've seen in this project (Presumed Innocent, All The President's Men). One would think I would follow up that point with something, but nope, it was really just a ploy to try to get you to click on my old links to boost my page count.
John Klute is a private investigator sent to New York to investigate the disappearance of his friend Tom. He is led to the prostitue Bree Daniels who may be the key to figuring out what happened to him. It is a good old fashioned mystery thriller. As you can tell from the picture, Klute and Bree hook up. I don't think that is really ruining anything because have you ever seen a film about a private investigator keeping tabs on a pretty woman and the two did not get involved? I didn't think so.
What is interesting is that this film is named Klute after Donald Sutherland's character but Jane Fonda's character Bree is unquestionably the main character of the film. In fact, Fonda would win Best Actress for this role and she is quite good. What makes her character interesting is that it is (what I assume) a pretty realistic portrayal of a call girl. She isn't the hooker with a heart of gold archetype like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, but a flawed sometimes even cold and mean woman. She is an aspiring actress but she is addicted to the game. She likes to turn tricks because that is what she is good at, that is when she has the power and the control. There are scenes where she confidently handles her clients with authority and confidence, yet in another scene she admits that she is afraid of the dark and is paranoid all the time. (Her paranoia turns out to be justified though as she is being watched, not just by Klute, but also the mystery man behind it all. Pakula shoots many scenes from afar to indicate she is being watched by this unseen character.)
Klute begins as the investigator out to do his job though you can tell he is intrigued by Bree. However he is kind of a boring character. He doesn't show much emotion or say many words. He is an observer and a listener. In a way he is in the audience with us watching Bree. And by the way, it is pretty amazing how some fathers and sons look so much alike. There was a moment when I thought I was watching an episode of 24 starring Kiefer.
The film has a very eerie feeling to it thanks to its noir style cinematography and creepy music. It all blends perfectly with the mystery aspect of the film. The film is very good at creating this ambiance. It is atmospheric and suspenseful throughout. Can't think of much else to say other than this was a well made and a pleasant surprise from a film I never even heard of.
Grade: B+
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