Tightrope (1984)

Bad Movie

Very disappointed with this movie. The color was too dark, sound not good. I have a 52" screen and still had trouble trying to see anything. One of Clint Eastwoods poorer movies. I file 13ed it! September 30, 2008

RICHARD TUGGLE, OPUS 1

***** 1984. Written and directed by Richard Tuggle. That's one of the Eastwood movies I prefer. At that time, Clint began to play with his image and delivered with TIGHTROPE a fascinating journey into New Orleans's red district and into a tortured mind. Masterpiece. December 21, 2007

"There's a darkness inside all of us. You, me, and the man down the street. Some have it under control. Others act it out."

I recently "discovered" the genius of Clint Eastwood ... and I have a lot of catching up to do. After seeing this film, I have a deeper appreciation for this performer's tremendous range.

Of the film itself, it is phenomenally gripping and complex. I was stunned at the "grey area" this work explores. Contemporary mainstream film often writes "black and white" characters: this character is "good," that one "bad." So tedious is this trend, that many critical viewers have abandoned "Hollywood" films entirely. Nonetheless, "Tightrope" illustrates that Hollywood once created deep, rich characters. Tuggle's work toys with a seeming contradiction: that Eastwood's character is a loving single-father to two young, sensitive girls AND that he has shockingly misogynistic impulses. The audience views Eastwood's character, Captain Block, indulge his sexual aggression with prostitutes (which is perhaps a result of his bitter divorce or perhaps a genuine aspect of his personality) and then return home to gently tuck his children into bed. This is jarring! Moreover, that Captain Block's love-interest is a powerful, rape-defense instructor only complicates his very human character. Eastwood enacts this multi-faceted role with absolute precision.

The casting is remarkable!! That Tuggle cast an "average" (read: unconventionally attractive) actress to play Eastwood's love-interest is ingenious. Geneviève Bujold plays the aforementioned defense-expert. As Beryl Thibodeaux, Bujold is the perfect counterpart to Eastwood. While intrigued by Captain Block, Thibodeaux quickly detects his misogynist tendencies and indicates that she will not be another conquest, but an equal. For instance, while on their first lunch date, Block tells Thibodeaux, "[I wonder] what it would be like to lick the sweat off your body." Her reaction is perfect: she is not angry, she is not aroused, she merely states that he could attempt a bit more subtlety ... that he could express a sentiment to her that he does not express to every woman he meets. It is both clever and progressive.

When watching this film, I wonder where these complicated works are today. I think Hollywood should take a lesson from Tuggle's work and show its audience characters who are both good parents and professionals with deep "flaws" (and the manner in which Block comes to terms with his sadistic side is quite compelling ... but no spoilers here!!) Block's humanity is excellently portrayed ... and I am continuing my exploration of Eastwood films hoping to find more of this!

Watch this film if you are interested in 1980's Hollywood, Eastwood's films, crime dramas, or the use of "strong women" in male-dominated films. April 22, 2007

Exploration of Dark Desires

Perverse, voyeuristic and nightmarish are not words commonly associated with Clint Eastwood's oeuvre, but in 1984 Richard Tuggle on the strength of his story was given the opportunity by Eastwood to direct his first film. The result is a seedy stroll through the backstreets and whorehouses of New Orleans. The success of the film relies on Eastwood's willingness to manipulate and subvert his iconic screen image. Since the warm comic capers of "Every Which Way But Loose" Eastwood had shown a propensity to experiment with his characters. This reaches something of an apex in the trouble and haunted homicide detective Wes Block. Block finds himself empathising a little too much with the serial killer who is plaguing the warm New Orleans nights. Adding to Block's complexity is a turbulent family life in which he is the single parent of two young children and a blossoming romance. The film really gets to grips with psychology of the serial killer as Block attempts to get inside his mind, the revelation that Block finds himself enjoying certain perverse delights creates a wonderful tension in the film that implicates Block as a possible suspect. Another major success of the film is the location, New Orleans beats not with life, but with death as the Mardi Gras takes a back seat and Tuggle explores the dark and seamy nightlife of this soulful and mysterious town. Ultimately this film is the real Dirty Harry, with the emphasis on Dirty. "Tightrope" is to the Eastwood detective image/film what "Unforgiven" was to his western image, a deconstruction of myths and iconic status. It deserves re-appraisal. December 28, 2006

okay flick

THI ITEM IS A GOOD MOVIE , BUT THERE ARE SOME MINOR FLAWS IN THE DISC , OTHER WISE I AM SATISFIED WITH THIS ITEM July 2, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...