I invite you to enjoy this new column dedicated to reviewing films the casual reader needs to see. I hunt the wild lands of rental stores and libraries to find rare and popular films that many have or have not seen. From time to time I may offer my insight into new and current run films, but most of the time I will stick to some forgotten gems.
I present to you a nearly unheard of film titled "Tucker: The Man and His Dream." I don't remember where I heard of this movie, maybe it was just by seeing Francis Ford Coppola as the director and George Lucas as the producer on IMDb.com. That said, this movie is truly a gem of the 80s.
Tucker is about the entrepreneurial car manufacturer Preston Tucker, played by Jeff Bridges, who designs the future for automobile manufacturing. Set in the 1940s after World War II, "Tucker" follows this man's quest to create a safer and overall-better automobile. The first half of the film follows the development of the car. The story shifts at the half way point and begins to chart Tucker's efforts to get his car sold and to compete with the Big 3 from Detroit: Chrysler, Ford and GM. The final act plots Tucker's plight against the automotive industry in court which ends somberly yet in a positive light.
This is a Jeff Bridges film. He plays a character we have grown accustomed to seeing him play. Preston Tucker is basically Charles Howard, Bridges character in "Seabiscuit," mixed with Leonardo DiCaprio's Howard Hughes from "The Aviator." That may lead the viewer to see this as a typical Jeff Bridges role, but this movie came out far before either of the others. Bridges has a strong supporting cast with Martin Landeau as his optimistic mentor and Christian Slater also pops up in one of his first major film gigs.
The film addresses several important themes that Americans hold dear, as well as the catalyst of events that have unfolded in this day and age. The shining entity of this movie is the power of the American Dream. Tucker as a character is as stubborn as anyone in cinema. He doesn't let setbacks stop him until he is ordered to by law. The dark and ominous foe interrupts the goal as much as any drugs, scandal or failure. The antagonist of "Tucker" isn't a single person but corporate and bureaucratic America. The Big 3 from Detroit and the politicians who are bribed by them halt any attempt at success just as they did with several entrepreneurs during that era. I won't get too political but I have to point out that this film illustrates one of Detroit's industrial flaws that shines through in the financial crunch: their unwillingness and inability to adapt.
It was interesting watching this movie the same week as I saw "Requiem for a Dream." For those who haven't seen it, "Requiem" tracks the dark side of an American Dream through the downfall of four individuals. "Tucker" simply contrasts that by following a rocky road to the peak of American ingenuity. I also like how Jeff Bridges manages to put small twists on the same role. He has evolved from his early days as a immature-geeky gamer in "Tron." His most recent role in Iron Man finally gave him the diversity of a truly gifted actor.
Find this film. Now. I found it hard to believe that no one has heard of it because it has big names attached to it as well as an empowering story. It may feel old and unoriginal because it is basically the same film as "The Aviator," but this came well before Scorcese's biopic, and it has all of the charm of a classic.
Maybe I shouldn't spoil what I have in store for next time, but for those who enjoy dark comedies, you might want to tune in for one hilarious modern comedy that most have not seen. Get out and pick up a forgotten gem that you have always wanted to watch, and always feel free to recommend anything. Until next time, get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.
Alex Kartman is a sophomore telecommunications major. He writes 'Scene Selection' for the Daily News. His views to not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to Alex at ajkartman@bsu.edu
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