Max, that was terrific! You are definitely a 'man of many parts.' That was probably the most thoughtful movie review that I've read in decades.
It was fascinating, a real tribute to you that you made your point very eloquently without spoiling any facet of the story. Of course, now I'm going to have to search through the streaming services to see if I can find Juror #2.
I spent a considerable amount of time advocating before juries, and I always felt that jury selection was an art form. I had several really long trials, and -- as a consequence -- had to deal with jury issues during the trials, since life and it's challenges gets in the way of the judicial system.
I especially liked this comment in your column, "Of course, Eastwood made those movies back when he was in his eighties, still just another kid with a crazy dream." Very nicely put, sir, and appropriately sarcastic, given the circumstances of modern movie making.
With apologies to Siskel and Ebert, I give your column two thumbs up. I know I'm just one reader, but I do have two thumbs.
Tony, I was thinking a little of your experience (far greater than mine in trial practice) when I watched the movie. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on it.
I'll definitely reach out to you. I'm not kidding, Max, your intellectual range, and personal interests, are incredibly broad. I've really enjoyed your columns.
Of course, now I have to be alert on both Thursday and Friday mornings.
Cry Macho may not have been a commercial success, but we enjoyed it. Eastwood makes movies about people who are not flat characters, nor even terribly good people, like the main character in The Mule. But they change & develop. He’s masterful in showing that. We’ll look for Juror #2 now.
Thanks for the review... I'm going to check this one out. It will be nice to watch a real film again - not the never-ending stream of CGI superhero garbage Hollywood feeds us.
I just purchased the movie on Amazon Prime, looking forward to watching it with the Mrs tonight. I recently discovered one can still watch episodes of “Rawhide” on Pluto TV. What a career Clint Eastwood has carved for himself. A national treasure. As of about 12 years or so ago, he owned a home above the shore at Makena, Maui, and was not averse to waving to a couple of kayaking fans down on the water. A real mensch.
As a big Clint Eastwood fan, both his acting and directing, I immediately went to MAX where Juror #2 is streaming. It is a terrific, thought provoking and well-done film. I have always followed this rule: never ever listen to a film critic. See the film and make up your own mind. In this case, since it was directed by Eastwood, watching this film was not an option. Until I read your post, I'd never heard of Juror #2. I must say, the film critics did us all a disservice. On the other hand, thanks for the tip. I think this film is a good as it gets. Once again, Clint Eastwood delivered, his legacy intact.
No criticism intended (the pun is) you probably are a "critic" but only in the sense that you provided a favorable review of the film. Certainly not one of those who view themselves as the "professionals" whose film reviews are the last word whether a film is worth seeing. Semantics aside, after reading your review, and knowing how well-crafted Eastwood's films are, I just had to see the film for myself. Your assessment of the film was spot on. BTW - it was "quick" but that's a testament to your review.
I watched this movie on a cross country flight and enjoyed it. I found the movie relatable as I had recently served on a jury for a murder trial. My trial was fortunately uncomplicated but I was initially worried that I would be forced to make a decision based on murky facts.
The American legal system is imperfect and one of the flaws is it is wholly designed to find a person to blame for a perceived offense. But what if no one is guilty? What if the offense, while real, is an accident and no one is personally to blame? What if you, as a juror, know this but face great personal risk for making this argument?
I applaud Eastwood for his movie making. He demonstrates a sense of moral decency in his films that I greatly appreciate. Thank you Max for writing about this film. It is one worth watching.
Max, the other sound advice on hitting was provided by Wee Willie Keeler: "Keep your eye on the ball and hit 'em where they ain't". Keeler batted over .300 in 16 seasons, batted .371 in one season and his best was .424. Keeler had a 44 game hitting streak; a record that stood until the great Joseph Paul Dimaggio broke it in 1941.
Great as usual. Great song As usual With Mr. Cossack. ( I am a formal person) something to think about. Every Thursday another treat. & as I am sure all of us Know evey Friday.
Dear Mr. Helphand: I always enjoy your comments. It is interesting that you are a formal person. Although I am an extremely casual person, I think we have gone waaaay too far in that direction. When I was a child, I was taught to call most of my parents' friends, with the exception of the very elderly, by their first names. Mama told me she didn't even KNOW the first names of any of the adults in their small community! Blessings, Mrs. Vass
haha. Well, I will tell you WHAT. I am ANTICIPATING the next year and getting myself used to it in advance. I am now exactly 16 months from 80. IOW, I will turn 79 in October. But, I think of myself as "almost 80" and congratulate myself daily on all the things I can still DO! (It works for me. YMMW)
Well, because I can handle almost anything if I am PREPARED for it. I prepare to be older by saying that age over and over. Since I am 3 months and 12 days older than you, perhaps you should listen to the voice of experience on how to handle aging! Lol. Hey, kids, we just celebrated 58 years of marriage -- how 'bout that?! SV
The risk of more dreck is too high to justify the ticket price. Not discounting the independents trying to create good art. Too many other things to do, like ride my bicycle another 40 miles or renovate the next house…
Max, that was terrific! You are definitely a 'man of many parts.' That was probably the most thoughtful movie review that I've read in decades.
It was fascinating, a real tribute to you that you made your point very eloquently without spoiling any facet of the story. Of course, now I'm going to have to search through the streaming services to see if I can find Juror #2.
I spent a considerable amount of time advocating before juries, and I always felt that jury selection was an art form. I had several really long trials, and -- as a consequence -- had to deal with jury issues during the trials, since life and it's challenges gets in the way of the judicial system.
I especially liked this comment in your column, "Of course, Eastwood made those movies back when he was in his eighties, still just another kid with a crazy dream." Very nicely put, sir, and appropriately sarcastic, given the circumstances of modern movie making.
With apologies to Siskel and Ebert, I give your column two thumbs up. I know I'm just one reader, but I do have two thumbs.
Tony, I was thinking a little of your experience (far greater than mine in trial practice) when I watched the movie. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on it.
I'll definitely reach out to you. I'm not kidding, Max, your intellectual range, and personal interests, are incredibly broad. I've really enjoyed your columns.
Of course, now I have to be alert on both Thursday and Friday mornings.
Cry Macho may not have been a commercial success, but we enjoyed it. Eastwood makes movies about people who are not flat characters, nor even terribly good people, like the main character in The Mule. But they change & develop. He’s masterful in showing that. We’ll look for Juror #2 now.
Great! That was my idea. We enjoyed Cry Macho too. And it reminded me of Eydie Gorme.
Thanks for the review... I'm going to check this one out. It will be nice to watch a real film again - not the never-ending stream of CGI superhero garbage Hollywood feeds us.
I just purchased the movie on Amazon Prime, looking forward to watching it with the Mrs tonight. I recently discovered one can still watch episodes of “Rawhide” on Pluto TV. What a career Clint Eastwood has carved for himself. A national treasure. As of about 12 years or so ago, he owned a home above the shore at Makena, Maui, and was not averse to waving to a couple of kayaking fans down on the water. A real mensch.
As a big Clint Eastwood fan, both his acting and directing, I immediately went to MAX where Juror #2 is streaming. It is a terrific, thought provoking and well-done film. I have always followed this rule: never ever listen to a film critic. See the film and make up your own mind. In this case, since it was directed by Eastwood, watching this film was not an option. Until I read your post, I'd never heard of Juror #2. I must say, the film critics did us all a disservice. On the other hand, thanks for the tip. I think this film is a good as it gets. Once again, Clint Eastwood delivered, his legacy intact.
Wow--that was quick!
BTW, No way am I a "critic." :)
No criticism intended (the pun is) you probably are a "critic" but only in the sense that you provided a favorable review of the film. Certainly not one of those who view themselves as the "professionals" whose film reviews are the last word whether a film is worth seeing. Semantics aside, after reading your review, and knowing how well-crafted Eastwood's films are, I just had to see the film for myself. Your assessment of the film was spot on. BTW - it was "quick" but that's a testament to your review.
Clint Eastwood is an inspiration to old folks. He was 78 when he directed and starred in Gran Torino, the very best of his many great films.
I watched this movie on a cross country flight and enjoyed it. I found the movie relatable as I had recently served on a jury for a murder trial. My trial was fortunately uncomplicated but I was initially worried that I would be forced to make a decision based on murky facts.
The American legal system is imperfect and one of the flaws is it is wholly designed to find a person to blame for a perceived offense. But what if no one is guilty? What if the offense, while real, is an accident and no one is personally to blame? What if you, as a juror, know this but face great personal risk for making this argument?
I applaud Eastwood for his movie making. He demonstrates a sense of moral decency in his films that I greatly appreciate. Thank you Max for writing about this film. It is one worth watching.
That's an important observation: under our criminal justice system, there is an imperative to find someone to blame. That fact helps drive the movie.
Thanks.
Max, the other sound advice on hitting was provided by Wee Willie Keeler: "Keep your eye on the ball and hit 'em where they ain't". Keeler batted over .300 in 16 seasons, batted .371 in one season and his best was .424. Keeler had a 44 game hitting streak; a record that stood until the great Joseph Paul Dimaggio broke it in 1941.
All true, but even Ty Cobb claimed he couldn't control where the ball went after he hit it. :)
Great as usual. Great song As usual With Mr. Cossack. ( I am a formal person) something to think about. Every Thursday another treat. & as I am sure all of us Know evey Friday.
Dear Mr. Helphand: I always enjoy your comments. It is interesting that you are a formal person. Although I am an extremely casual person, I think we have gone waaaay too far in that direction. When I was a child, I was taught to call most of my parents' friends, with the exception of the very elderly, by their first names. Mama told me she didn't even KNOW the first names of any of the adults in their small community! Blessings, Mrs. Vass
"Don’t Let The Old Man In."
Stay In Touch With Your Inner 6 year old.
My husband’s birthday is in two days. He’ll be 76. I’m sharing that song with him because I do think he tends to view himself older than he should.
Another great essay Max.
He's not Old. He's Chronologically Enhanced. + He gets to say things like "Back In My Day!" & "I've seen This Before."
Don't mess with Geezer! Life imprisonment is not the deterrence it once was. :-)
He doesn’t do that. He rounds up. Like now he’ll say I’m almost 80. I keep saying do t make yourself older than you are.
But he does tend to tell the same stories.
My wife always rounds up too. But I round down. This difference must reflect something, but I'm not sure what.
haha. Well, I will tell you WHAT. I am ANTICIPATING the next year and getting myself used to it in advance. I am now exactly 16 months from 80. IOW, I will turn 79 in October. But, I think of myself as "almost 80" and congratulate myself daily on all the things I can still DO! (It works for me. YMMW)
The wife
What's the hurry?
Well, because I can handle almost anything if I am PREPARED for it. I prepare to be older by saying that age over and over. Since I am 3 months and 12 days older than you, perhaps you should listen to the voice of experience on how to handle aging! Lol. Hey, kids, we just celebrated 58 years of marriage -- how 'bout that?! SV
Or it was payback for not playing the party game?
Might have to see this one, haven't been in a theater since Top Gun 2.
I never go to movies. There hasn’t been an adult drama since…. Seems like forever
The risk of more dreck is too high to justify the ticket price. Not discounting the independents trying to create good art. Too many other things to do, like ride my bicycle another 40 miles or renovate the next house…