  |
|
|
|
The Longest Yard - Page 2© James C. Hess
Nice night, he said at last.
He considered the cigar he held, then placed it on the railing surrounding the deck. Years ago, he said suddenly. I made a living sacking groceries. Did you know that? No, I said. I didn't. (Which was true at the time.) He sighed. I did. It wasn't a great living, but it did the trick. Then one day I got it into my head I could act. So I did. He looked at me, sadness in his eyes. And I've been doing it every since. Then he turned and walked away, his cigar slowly burning away to nothing. For more than forty years Burt Reynolds has been acting. It is quite possible he could act for another forty. Not that anyone would notice, because for forty years Burt Reyonlds has gotten the bum's rush with regards to his acting talent. A talent that is subtle, muted, dogged, determined, and dedicated. A talent that is unlike any other talent. A talent that is only recognized when lesser talents surround it. Which may go to explain why he makes an appearance in the remake of "The Longest Yard", starring, among others, Adam Sandler. He can act. Adam Sandler plays an alcoholic has-been, one-time football hero, who gets drunk, drives irresponsibly and dangerously, is intercepted by the police, ends up in jail, and becomes a player in a football game where a team of fellow prisoners play against a team of prison guards. The game resulting, not surprisingly, is broadcast live on a sports network. I suppose, although I cannot say for certain, the reason for this is because Sandler's character was once a big football hero and the media loves to expose such heroes when they fall. Besides it makes for melodrama, and good ratings somewhere along the way. Sandler's character, who is named Paul, has a mentor, played by Burt Reynolds, a former prisoner himself: Coach. Apparently Coach won the highest honor in football, but is reduced to doing this sort of thing for a living. James Cromwell plays the warden at the prison. Would you be surprised if I told you his intentions for the game in question are less than honorable? It doesn't matter, really. In the end what you expect to happens happens, by way of actions by characters you would expect them from. Does that go to mean I don't like "The Longest Yard", the remake? Not at all. I liked it for what it was worth, which is simply entertainment.
The copyright of the article The Longest Yard
- Page 2 in Film & TV Reviews is owned by James C. Hess. Permission to republish The Longest Yard
- Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
