The Last Hurrah

Fine drama about an old politician struggling to maintain relevance while competing against a younger media saavy man more in tune with his time. Tracy's performance has been largely forgotten, but he is very good in the role of a dignified dinosaur, and the film takes a sentimental view of his plight without making him saintly. Ford recreates the rituals of this fading world with great detail and clarity, especially during the final election sequence, and the dialogue is sharply penned.

Good movie and another phenomenal performance by Spencer Tracy, but it didn't blow me away as much as some of his others.

A marvelous performance from Tracy. Does an excellent job of showing us machine politics--Boston style.

A woman uncomfortable with her husband's failure to adhere to stuffy conservatism is brought round by his uncle, and eventually sees that she must reject her father. Rudiments of a theme concerning the corrosive effect of television on the public thing are undeniably present, but the real interest of the filmmakers lies in concocting schmaltzy scenes aimed at demonstrating the roguish-but-wise charm of the Irish. Humour is leaden and the final half-hour deathbed scene is maudlin beyond belief.

Tracy is good, but other than that The Last Hurrah kind of just doesn't live up to that title. I thought it could have been done better.

82.00

80.500

Tracy is fun to watch as always, there are a few nice shots and some crisp dialogue. The situations are fairly compelling. But once again, Ford's love of myth-making gets in the way, as the protagonist is built up as The Swellest Guy in the World while his opponents are all either snakes or boobs. The mayor is a working class hero who can do absolutely no wrong, and the bad guys are out of touch bluebloods. This film is the answer to everyone who thinks Mr. Smith Goes to Washington lacks nuance.

Tracy is good here, if his character is a little too perfect, but it drags a bit at times. The end especially drags on forever. Not bad, but doesn't stand up with the best of Tracy or Ford by any means. Could have used some more subtlety and complexity in its characters, which are often drawn rather cartoonishly.

A late film from Ford that confirms and crystallizes a number of themes and tropes prominent in his work throughout his career. The lone hero tirelessly works for the people, honors and even talks to his dead wife, sometimes resorts to more unsavory methods to accomplish his purpose. The only difference here is the ultimate pessimism--his way cannot continue, his kind is dying out, tradition will pass away--and that we should mourn such a circumstance. Also, some nice expressionist flourishes.