"That's a nice-a donut."
Monday, July 25, 2005
Papillon (1973)
It was said to be hell on Earth, the place that no man could escape from. But one man was able to escape the penal colony on French Guiana (including Devil's Island). Not once, but several times. Henri Charriere (Steve McQueen), also known as Papillon for the striking butterfly tattoo on his chest, is sent there after being (wrongfully he says) convicted of murder. He befriends Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman), a strange man who is carrying serious loot inside his body and uses it to pay off guards and secure various amenities. Papillon soon decides that he wants to try to escape, and does but is recaptured and placed in solitary confinement for an incredible length of time. His heart and desire to be free never lets up though, and he spends a long time seeking the perfect escape.
The story sounds very exciting, in fact one that would make a great movie. Unfortunately this is not it. Papillon is a long-winded tale that is at least half an hour too long. It spends far too much time dabbling on unnecessary or unimportant plot points and is never sure what it is trying to be. It is at times at times a somber drama, an indigenous culture study, a buddy picture, a prison escape film, a mild romance, and a period piece. Though it is rarely more than one of these at a time. It is as if director Franklin Schaffner is saying, "Look! Now it's this! Next we're gonna try that!" Further, the musical score is too active and imposing, and not all that good. This is even more amazing in light of its Oscar nomination for best original score for 1973.
I do love the escape scenes though. They are a lot of fun and, well, the movie would have been better served to have spent more time on them. In prison escape pictures, there always seems to be a moment where the escapee(s) get stuck; something unexpected comes up because they just didn't think much further ahead then simply getting outside the gates. These moments can be the most powerful in the movie, because they show the freedom that comes with escape along the sheer vulnerability. Even though these people weren't exactly the nicest, most humanistic people (they were, after all, in prison), you find yourself pulling for Papillon to make it to safety. The movie does succeed in that regard. McQueen is his typical tough guy, loner antihero in a fairly convincing role. I was less impressed with Hoffman though. Dega is a likeable enough fellow as a "fruit", but like much of the movie, is played rather unevenly. Papillon is a disappointment.
The Verdict: C.
Michael Bentley 1:26 PM
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