Film Review: The Last Detail

Review of: The Last Detail (1973)

Film:

Hal Ashby

---

Reviewed by: David M. Brown

Rating:

4

On June 10, 2013Last modified:June 10, 2013

---

Summary:

The Last Detail is an excellent comedy/drama that rivals Ashby's Harold and Maude released two years prior to this film.

More DetailsAbout The Last Detail (1973)Two career sailors show a young crewman a good time as they take him from a Virginia naval base to a New Hampshire prison for a seven-year sentence. Starring Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, Randy Quaid and Michael Moriarty.

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid, Otis Young, Clifton James, Carol Kane

Directed by: Hal Ashby

Runtime: 104 minutes

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Amazon USAmazon UKIMDB

Review: The Last Detail

Hal Ashby’s The Last Detail tells the story of US Navy officers Billy Buddusky (Jack Nicholson) and Richard Mulhall (Otis Young) who are awaiting new orders in Virginia when they are charged with escorting a young sailor, Larry Meadows (Randy Quaid) to Portsmouth Naval Prison in New Hampshire. Meadows is guilty of trying to steal charity money from the wife of his C.O. and is facing the harsh sentence of eight years. Buddusky and Mulhall take charge of Meadows but given that he is only 18 and facing the loss of his youth behind bars, Buddusky decides to show Meadows one final good time.

Buddusky and Mulhall are kicking their heels at the outset waiting for orders when they are given the duty of taking Meadows to prison. Though they consider Meadows’ sentence to be harsh initially they do their duty in taking him to prison only to find they warm to the young man. Buddusky wants the kid to enjoy himself for a few days so on the way to New Hampshire the trio have beer, unhealthy food and take Meadows to a brothel to lose his virginity. The closer they get to Portsmouth Naval Prison the more they lament having to do their duty in condemning Meadows to what they know will be eight years of hell. Do Buddusky and Mulhall relent and let Meadows escape or do they see their detail through to the end?

Notable for the somewhat vulgar script, this is a well-acted comedy drama with Nicholson, Young and Quaid proving an entertaining bunch. Despite a strong early performance from Quaid, who beat John Travolta to the role, this film belongs to Nicholson who is on fine form as usual with echoes of his Oscar-winning turn of R.P. McMurphy that would follow two years later. The laughs inevitably recede as the film nears its conclusion and the final reels prove somewhat poignant as Meadows’ fate is decided.

The Last Detail is an excellent comedy/drama that rivals Ashby’s Harold and Maude released two years prior to this film. The three leads are all fantastic but this is very much another star turn from the legendary Nicholson. It reflects the importance of duty and how even when one does the right thing it doesn’t always feel good to do it.

Verdict: 4/5

(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)

About the Author:

I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.

David M. Brown – who has written 704 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.

---

 •  •  •  •  •