Michael-Bay Movie Reviews

Angela Riley

The character of Andrew Quint ironically mirrors many of the dilemmas Oliver Reed had in his own life. Oliver Reed was a rabble-rouser with a penchant for trouble, and "I'll Never Forget What's 'Isname" is a great film for any Oliver Reed fan. Although the film is relatively short, it is packed with action and drama. The story flows seamlessly, and no scenes are wasted. The film is very much a product of the 60s--complete with dolly birds running around in Mary Quant-style mini-dresses, and layers and layers of that 60s eye-make-up. The sexual freedom of the 60s peeks through--especially through Leonard's lascivious envy of Quint's social life. But in spite of the fact that the film is so obviously a product of 60s culture, it does not seem dated at all. Quint's rejection of professional success, and the moral quandaries created by the need to succeed are still relevant issues today. While the story deals with serious issues, everything is treated with a light ironic touch, and both Oliver Reed and Orson Welles fit neatly into the film as antagonists who both know the game all too well. Orson Welles is simply marvellous as the corrupt, wily, decadent Jonathan Lute--a man who will go as far as necessary to sell whatever product he represents. This is my favourite Orson Welles role next to Citizen Kane. The scenes with Welles are some of the best in the film, and the character Welles plays has a way of popping up in the most unexpected places. This disturbs Quint, but adds to the mood of the film. Oliver Reed and his co-star, Carol White had an off-screen romance as a result of this film, and Oliver Reed and Orson Welles maintained a close friendship for the rest of their lives. Watch for Marianne Faithfull in a small part as Josie--one of Quint's mistresses--displacedhuman

Oliver Reed is captivating as Andrew Quint, the disenchanted ad agency executive. He exudes sexual and physical power in a way that is nearly unequalled in films on either side of the pond. I need to say something about a barely constrained raw power that Oliver Reed's Quint brings to screen -- it frequently erupts in surprisingly believable acts of violence and fistfights. I tend to think of fistfights and car chases as hokey Hollywood stuff (seriously, how many fist fights have you witnessed in real life?). But, it works, for the most part, in this movie.

Quint resigns from his high-powered position in a spectacular act of rebellion. He seeks to return to a truer calling in life - working as an editor for a declining literary magazine. After whole-heartedly chucking his job, he then goes half-heartedly through the motions of breaking off relations with his assorted blonds. But, not really. In fact, he acquires another blond or two along the way. The break-ups, both professional and personal, are all on the surface. It may be just a European thing or a sixties thing, but movie's characters are strangely bland and accepting about sexual infidelity.

The female characters, a wife and a bevy of girl friends, alas, are nearly interchangeable - stamped from a cookie cutter. Maybe that was intentional; because, it seems, Quint never comes to grips with his angst. He fails to recover that sense of integrity he sought in his attempts to shed the trappings of ad agency success. There is a faint question in the air at the end: does he to come to peace with himself, finally?

The movie provides a terrific glimpse into the social culture of the Sixties, when Britain was in its ascendancy as the celebrated crown jewel of pop culture. But, as I said, it doesn't seem that dated - even the clothes still look fairly okay (the hairstyles and makeup, though, NOT!). Ahead of its time in many ways, the movie has comments on the environment and society that are still valid and compelling today. Orson Welles' character delivers a very insightful speech on the extraordinary generation of waste - both literally in how landfills are swallowing up the country and in the quality of society's intellectual output. The movie is cagey in its revelation that even the hallowed halls of the academic elite harbor decay and moral corruption.

I enjoyed the commentary provided by Michael Winner on the DVD edition. It's chatty - gossipy, in fact, with rare details about the actors' personal lives. As for the title, I still don't get it; and Winner's comments about it are obtuse. Frankly, the title sounds like a slap-dash comedy, which this is not.

Many films from this era showcase the "angry young man" character rebelling against some unfocused facet of society that they feel oppresses them. "The Girl Getters", also starring Oliver Reed, and "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" are two such samplings from Britain that are quite memorable (also of note is the even rarer portrayal of the "angry young woman" in "The Girl With Green Eyes").

Oliver Reed is marvelous as the angry young man in this slice of life film set in Swinging London. Reed's disillusioned character has reached a point where the swinging lifestyle has become empty and unsatisfying, and he wonders if there is something more to life than just having fun.

Of course, Welles is on hand, and although his part is relatively small, it it pivotal nonetheless. As Lute, the millionaire advertising executive, Welles exudes the frightening presence of a man who is not to be denied anything he wants. Lute is pragmatic, cynical, and amused at Reed's faniciful idea of working for a cause instead of working for cash.

Even though Reed owns the film, one standout in the cast to be mentioned is the milquetoast character who asks Reed to join his failing literary magazine. Burdened by a harping wife who is unhappy with the poor life of a scholar and wants "things" likes sportscars and washing mashines.

Of course, Carol White is the foxy and quintessential London swinger, and would easily give Felicity Shagwell a run for her money.

These type of films are all too rare. Although there are a few American films that touch on the same issues with the same styling ("The Sweet Smell of Success" and "Love With the Proper Stanger" both spring to mind), the British just had a knack for making solid "class struggle" films. They also had the actors that would make the films work and the characters believable. Reed and his fellow cast members excel in this one, and Welles is wonderful. Don't pass it up!

In Percy Runs Away, Percy disobeys the law and causes trouble with Gordon, Henry, Edward and James.

In Thomas in Trouble, Thomas gets in trouble with the police who said that it was illegal for engines to cross roads without cowcatchers or sideplates.

In Coal, Henry is sad because he isn't running well.

In the Flying Kipper, Henry gets to pull some trucks full of fish!

In Thomas & the Trucks, Thomas gets to pull ten very mischevious trucks.

In Toby and the Stout Gentleman, we get to meet Toby and his old but faithful coach, Henrietta. The Fat Controller and his wife and grandchildren visit them.

What happens next? Just watch this video and find out for yourself!! Stories told by Ringo Starr.

A Big Day for Thomas (originally on Vol. 1- "Thomas Gets Tricked") follows a Thomas who wants to pull coaches, and finally gets his chance. But guess what happened to his chance?

Percy Runs Away (orrig. on Vol. 3- "Tenders and Turntables"). A continuation of "Trouble in the Shed," Gordon james and Henry are back to work and the new engine, Percy, has a mishap which gets him startled

Thomas Breaks the Rules (orrig. on Vol. 4- "Thomas Breaks the Rules") takes us with Thomas getting in trouble with a policeman. But when Sir Topham Hatt remembers a solution engine he met, Toby the Tram Engine comes to the rescue.

Henry's Special Coal (orrig. on Vol. 3- "Tenders and Turntables" Henry feels very weak and receives new, but expensive coal to make him better.

The Flying Kipper (Orrig. on Vol. 3- "Tenders and Turntables" A continuation of previous episode, Henry gets to do more important jobs, including taking a load of fish. But a disaster crash occurs, and Henry is sent to be repaired.

Toby the Tram Engine (Orrig. on Vol. 3- "Tenders and Turntables") shows us Toby the Tram Enigne. When Sir Topham Hatt and famly visits, they find Toby splendid, but soon the line closes down. But Sir Topham Hatt comes to the rescue...
(This explains how Sir Topham Hatt knew Toby from Thomas Breaks the Rules)

I enjoy the episodes (even with George Carlin), but I prefer the original volumes as told by Ringo Starr. VERY CLAASIC!

In Percy Runs Away, Percy disobeys the law and causes trouble with Gordon, Henry, Edward and James.

In Thomas in Trouble, Thomas gets in trouble with the police who said that it was illegal for engines to cross roads without cowcatchers or sideplates.

In Coal, Henry is sad because he isn't running well.

In the Flying Kipper, Henry gets to pull some trucks full of fish!

In Thomas & the Trucks, Thomas gets to pull ten very mischevious trucks.

In Toby and the Stout Gentleman, we get to meet Toby and his old but faithful coach, Henrietta. The Fat Controller and his wife and grandchildren visit them.

What happens next? Just watch this video and find out for yourself!! Stories told by Ringo Starr.

A Big Day for Thomas (originally on Vol. 1- "Thomas Gets Tricked") follows a Thomas who wants to pull coaches, and finally gets his chance. But guess what happened to his chance?

Percy Runs Away (orrig. on Vol. 3- "Tenders and Turntables"). A continuation of "Trouble in the Shed," Gordon james and Henry are back to work and the new engine, Percy, has a mishap which gets him startled

Thomas Breaks the Rules (orrig. on Vol. 4- "Thomas Breaks the Rules") takes us with Thomas getting in trouble with a policeman. But when Sir Topham Hatt remembers a solution engine he met, Toby the Tram Engine comes to the rescue.

Henry's Special Coal (orrig. on Vol. 3- "Tenders and Turntables" Henry feels very weak and receives new, but expensive coal to make him better.

The Flying Kipper (Orrig. on Vol. 3- "Tenders and Turntables" A continuation of previous episode, Henry gets to do more important jobs, including taking a load of fish. But a disaster crash occurs, and Henry is sent to be repaired.

Toby the Tram Engine (Orrig. on Vol. 3- "Tenders and Turntables") shows us Toby the Tram Enigne. When Sir Topham Hatt and famly visits, they find Toby splendid, but soon the line closes down. But Sir Topham Hatt comes to the rescue...
(This explains how Sir Topham Hatt knew Toby from Thomas Breaks the Rules)

I enjoy the episodes (even with George Carlin), but I prefer the original volumes as told by Ringo Starr. VERY CLAASIC!

Don't miss out on Danielle Steele's "Family Album"... it's a great flick! Great performances were delivered by Jackyln Smith, Michael Ontkean and then newcomer Joe Flanigan.

Lots of production values makes this one look like a regular theatrical release rather than a TV film. Well worth seeing.