MAKSQUIBS CINEMATHEQUE: THE INCIDENT (1990)

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Sunday, November 29, 2020

THE INCIDENT (1990)

Superior tv movie from the days when Broadcast TV Movie was something of a pejorative. Not a lot of surprises, but quality that shows above & below the line, with an exceptional lineup of senior character actors digging into their parts rather than coasting on past charm. Walter Matthau plays it straight & true as a past-his-prime small town Colorado lawyer in WWII, forced to pull a John Adams and defend the enemy when ordered to handle the case of a German prisoner-of-war (Peter Firth) accused of murdering camp doctor Bernard Hughes, a personal friend of Matthau’s. Harry Morgan (particularly fine) is the Fed judge bought in to run things as efficiently as possible (with a predetermined end); Robert Carradine as a sharpie prosecuting attorney; William Schallert the fair-minded local sheriff with some inconvenient questions on what ought to be an open-and-shut case. With at-home complications from Matthau’s daughter-in-law & grandkid (Susan Blakely; Ariana Richards) and naturally a beloved son serving overseas to multiply Matthau’s discomfort level as the riled town questions his motives. Joseph Sargent, a top director of tv & the occasional film (he & Matthau scored on THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE/’74 - https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2008/06/taking-of-pelham-one-two-three-1974.html), gives unusual attention to period detail (the vintage cars look a bit too ready for the Labor Day parade, but those old actors sure know how to pull off a ‘40s wardrobe), and lets big scenes have a quiet finish to them that’s very effective. Watch Matthau get the bad news you know is coming. Good work all ‘round on this one.

SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY/DOUBLE-BILL: An underlying twist here (a personal fave) gives Matthau the case not on belated recognition of ability, but because he’s pegged as a second-rater and a bit of a lush. He’s supposed to lose, but surprises everyone, including himself, by finding his form after all. A popular, much used character trope, it had just propped up Paul Newman in THE VERDICT/’82, with Sidney Lumet ponderously directing & David Mamet pretentiously scribbling. OR: See Matthau & Morgan retained in two sequels: AGAINST HER WILL: AN INCIDENT IN BALTIMORE/’92 and INCIDENT IN A SMALL TOWN/’94. But with Matthau now hired for competence rather than presumed incompetence, neither gives off quite the same kick.

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Sunday, November 29, 2020

THE INCIDENT (1990)

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