MovieChat Forums > The Landlord (1970) Discussion > Very Moving

Very Moving

posted 16 years ago by omari322
9 replies | jump to latest

I first saw this movie late one night about twenty-five years ago when I was just a kid trying to stay up late. I liked it then even if some of themes were a little above my head at the time but seeing it again recently as an almost forty-something I definitely love it now. The acting, the editing, and the plot of the movie were all engrossing to me with most of the major players like Bridges, Sands, Grant, and especially Lou Gossett hitting just the right notes.

'The Landlord' was an interesting slice of life portrait that didn't follow the traditional movie arc and was deeper than one would expect just from watching the beginning.

[–] IForgotMyMantra 16 years ago

I agree. It took me a little while to get into -- the emphasis at the beginning on the wacky rich family seemed a bit cliche (I couldn't stand Harold and Maude) but damn, what a movie once you get into it. There are some scenes that are so poignant like Elgar and Lanie together by the river -- the lighting, the words, the music are all perfect. And of course the ending. Definitely one of the best of the 70s, and the kind of character driven story with real resonance that you don't see much of anymore.

[–] activista 12 years ago

Just finally found it on VHS after years of searching for it, and finally sat down and watched it---I liked it too, because even though it makes fun of the rich white family, they don't come off as stereotypes OR any well-worn cliches---in fact, nobody does in this film, which is why it's so refreshing to watch. It's a mature, adult look at mature, adult situations,and it treats its characters like intelligent human beings for a change. It's also a slightly different take on the coming-of-age story (even thought the main character is an adult, figuratively speaking). I also loved how the narrative was broken up and almost mixed around (that was actually typical of a number of groundbreaking seventies films, like M.A.S.H.,CATCH-22, or any indie experimental film of that time--some of those same techniques were borrowed from foreign films).

I really enjoyed how that part of the film where it's edited to show the African-American characters involved in different parts of a full discussion---normally when you see that kind of editing trick pulled off in a film, it's usually done for show, but here in THE LANDLORD, it's used for a specific purpose and to make a very good and interesting point. Anyway, this film is a genuine lost forgotten classic that needs to seen by more people----it's on YouTube,so check it out!

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] emncaity 12 years ago

Also was broadcast tonight by TCM, and recordable.

[–] mrsugaless 12 years ago

I just watched it for the first time last night and I was highly impressed. Even though it came out in 1970 it's still relevant today. I wish I've could have seen it in a theater. Hopefully, it will pop up at one of the local revival theaters out here in Los Angeles, like the New Beverly Cinema.

~It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: The music is nothing if the audience is deaf.~

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

the editing is beyond the modern.

You stay classy, San Diego.

[–] mail-2775 14 years ago

Agreed, this movie is a masterpiece all the way around.

[–] bworm76 12 years ago

For years I heard about this movie from my father (he loved the scene where Lee Grant meets up with Pearl Bailey) and could never find it. I caught it on TCM and was so surprised by how emotional it turned. Beau Bridges scenes with Diana Sands and then with them both and Lou Gossett stuck with me the most. I love those films that can have you laughing out loud one minute and then leave you with a lump in your throat the next. Someone else mentioned the editing reminding them of Harold and Maude and I thought the same thing, which was maybe overdone a bit in that era, but fits perfectly for this film. There are times when it adds just the right amount of suspense because you're seeing the aftermath before knowing what just led up to it. I hope I can find this one to own.

[–] sirjeremy 11 years ago

It's quite the forgotten gem. I thought it would be just a quirky, slight film with just a few laughs and maybe a couple of good performances to commend it but it turned out to be so much more. I watched it for the first time a few days ago and have thought about it a lot since.