I'm glad there are other people out there that love the campiness of "Malone". In some strange way I never thought anybody had seen the film other than myself and the people I watched my VHS copy with. This is the pinnacle of Burt's '87 badass trilogy that included "Heat" and "Stick". Too many great moments to even mention, but if presssed it might be Robertson's reaction shot when he knows that Burts' got em' cornered in the barn at the end.
The film is too heavily derivative of Shane, but tit's still quite entertaining, with Reynolds giving on his best performances. The emotion he puts into some of his line readings is simply wondrous to behold.
shareReynolds was coming off of a disastrous period in which his superstardom pretty much vanished.
Much of it, he did to himself, by taking his "Deliverance" dramatic macho and his "Longest Yard" cool and making things like "Smokey and the Bandit II" and "Cannonball Run II" and "Smoker Ace."
Attempting to "correct his career" with "City Heat" opposite Clint Eastwood, Reynolds was actually cool and funny again-- but his jaw was smashed in a fight scene accident and he was in massive pain trying to finish that picture. "Beverly Hills Cop" smashed "City Heat" at the box office. Reynolds, not Eastwood, was blamed.
The upshot: movies like "Stick" and "Heat" and "Malone" were lower and lower in budget and prestige than his big hit movies, but Reynolds "cooled back down" and revealed his capacity to act seriously.
"Malone" is pretty weak, but at least Reynolds plays the role straightforwardly and with an emphasis on quiet authority.
It was too late. The descent continued, though he's pulled back in recent years to "dependable guest star icon." He was too big to just disappear.
I recall all that "Burt Reynolds in decline" talk of the era.
Very few actors remain a top box office draw for years and years. I think it would have happened even without "Stroker Ace" and the other crap films. Eventually.
But yes, "Malone" is a great little film, definitely one of Burt's best roles. Had this come out in 1978, it would have been a smash. But in 1987, cinemagoers were looking for something different.
That's an excellent summation of Burt's rise and fall ... and eventual resurrection. This isn't one of Burt's better movies, but more significantly, it was released at a time when he was on the outs in Hollywood. Thankfully, he redeemed himself with "Boogie Nights." I only wish he had the career that Jack Nicholson continues to have.
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Burt is a master actor. We are all lucky to have him.
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"Don't tread on me" (1776)
Perhaps I'm too emotionally connected to the film to see the campiness. At this time in our country's history (I'm assuming you're American), this film is very relevant. I'm glad Hulu made it available for viewing.
And yes, Burt Reynold's is at his best in this film. I can't understand how "Malone" received such a low rating and why the film fell through the cracks and is virtually unknown!
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Another reason I think Burt's star dropped dramatically was if you compare him to the likes of Eastwood or Stallone even, if they were going through a bad run Clint could always do a Dirty Harry film or a Western to guarantee a hit or Sly could do another Rocky or Rambo. Burt never really had that apart from perhaps the Bandit movies if they didn't make such a lacklustre second one. Also he really did make some awful choices Cannonball Run II being the worst. He had a good run though from the 70's up to about 1981.
shareI really enjoyed Malone.And I loved Stick.That was such a cool character Burt played in that movie.
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I say this is the last real action film Burt made.
We all surely miss this guy on screen!
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"Don't tread on me" (1776)
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