The Last Detail (1973)

[iamwhatiseem]

Didn't know it was possible Jack Nicholson was ever this young.
Or Dennis Quaid for that matter.
It is a comedy/drama where two sailors get orders to transport a young prisoner across 4 states.
But they decide to it is a good idea to show this young kid a good time before he does 8 years in the brink.
Hilarity with a dose of self reflection and friendships is the result.
Worth seeing, a little outdated but not so much it gets in the way... just a good story played by three good actors.

Side note... there is a nude scene with Carol Kane, known for playing the ghost of Christmas Present in Scrooged that kept punching Bill Murray in the face. She was quite the hot little number in her days

 

[TroglocratsRdumb]

good movie

 

[Flopper]

Didn't know it was possible Jack Nicholson was ever this young.
Or Dennis Quaid for that matter.
It is a comedy/drama where two sailors get orders to transport a young prisoner across 4 states.
But they decide to it is a good idea to show this young kid a good time before he does 8 years in the brink.
Hilarity with a dose of self reflection and friendships is the result.
Worth seeing, a little outdated but not so much it gets in the way... just a good story played by three good actors.

Side note... there is a nude scene with Carol Kane, known for playing the ghost of Christmas Present in Scrooged that kept punching Bill Murray in the face. She was quite the hot little number in her days

Nicholson and Quaid are perfect in there roles. The movie is funny but not Nicolson's funniest nor his best acting. "Five Easy Pieces " that he did a few year prior to this one was his defining role that made him a star. IMHO in 1975, Nicholson started in his best dramatic roll , "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". And in 1997 he starred in his funniest roll, "As Good as It Gets" However these movies do not alter the fact that "The Last Detail" is a funny movie and well worth watching.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Nicholson and Quaid are perfect in there roles. The movie is funny but not Nicolson's funniest nor his best acting. "Five Easy Pieces " that he did a few year prior to this one was his defining role that made him a star. IMHO in 1975, Nicholson started in his best dramatic roll , "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". And in 1997 he starred in his funniest roll, "As Good as It Gets" However these movies do not alter the fact that "The Last Detail" is a funny movie and well worth watching.

Oh yeah... As Good as it Gets is a terrific movie. And I agree that is his funniest role.
In contrast, for me, Something's Gotta Give is flat. It has funny moments, but the chemistry between Nicholson and Helen Hunt far surpasses him and Keaton.

 

[whitehall]

I think it was Randy Quaid, not Dennis. A lame plot about two misfit Sailors escorting a fukup prisoner to prison.

 

[Flopper]

Oh yeah... As Good as it Gets is a terrific movie. And I agree that is his funniest role.
In contrast, for me, Something's Gotta Give is flat. It has funny moments, but the chemistry between Nicholson and Helen Hunt far surpasses him and Keaton.

Nicholson, Hunt, and Kinnear were all perfectly cast. James L Brooks who wrote and directed As Good As Gets created a romantic comedy that is unique. It is funny, sad, thought provoking, and has an ending that is one of the best I have ever seen.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Nicholson, Hunt, and Kinnear were all perfectly cast. James L Brooks who wrote and directed As Good As Gets created a romantic comedy that is unique. It is funny, sad, thought provoking, and has an ending that is one of the best I have ever seen.

I am not not a chauvinist... but the line he gave here is absolutely hilarious.

"How do you write about women so well"?
"I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability"

 

[Flopper]

I am not not a chauvinist... but the line he gave here is absolutely hilarious.

"How do you write about women so well"?
"I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability"

Nicholson's character was no doubt a chauvinist, anti-gay as well being OCD. Throw him in with a gay neighbor needing his help caring for his little Dog which Nicholson hates and a waitress with a very sick son who expects at least a drop of human kindness from Nicholson, which is well beyond his capability and you have the makings of a good comedy.

If I had to pick one thing that made this a good movie, I would say it's the script following by the performances of Nicholson and Hunt.