And so it ended. With a career that comprehends more than 60 years in the film business behind classics such as "The French Connection", "The Exorcist"
and "To Live and Die in L. A." William Friedkin was a towering expressive voice just as much as Coppola, De Palma, Scorsese and many others that
revolutionized the world of cinema. At age 87, he still managed to get behind camera, gather up talented actors to appear in his film and deliver a
quite masterful work worthy of appreciation. He puts to shame many young filmmakers out there who probably just watch films made in the past 25 years or so,
but never beyond that to actually learn the craft of filmmaking and how to tell a story.
"The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial" it's Friedkin's final work, not exactly the send-off he deserved but it's the one he
needed since it was a passion project and he knew his reasons in bringing an updated version of Herman Wouk's classic novel and play that had two
filmed versions before: Edward Dmytryk's in 1954 which presents the whole action on board of vessel Caine and later on the trial; and Robert Altman's
version in 1988, of which this film owes it a lot since they just cover the trial. All great films on their own; if compared with each other the criticism can
affect the experience, of which I won't do all that much because others already did that, and one must think about the audience who haven't seen those
other films and might want to see this new take and they must see it.
It'll be a mystery as to why Mr. Friedkin wanted to retell this classic ethical battle of a lieutenant (Jake Lacy) on trial for mutiny after
relieving his commanding officer (Kiefer Sutherland) after considering that the man was out of his right mind as a typhoon approached their ship.
And most important, why updating it - the original story takes place during WWII and it makes more sense there than in a context of peace times of 2022.
Anyway, he had his reasons and there's also the factor of attracting new audiences to a highly important story so you have to make things a little
flexible. It works in a way because the material is strong enough while addressing topics such as ethics, moral, the judgments on people and their
actions in stressful difficult times and also how fallible and frail the men of force can be. It's never a high criticism on the institution (the
Navy, here) but of the people in charge. And it also deals with the value of discipline and how the power of questioning authority can be used and
enforced when one has a total understanding of discipline.
Friedkin's "The Caine..." is thrilling, with many edge of the seat moments and you never feel distracted or out of the story. It's quite
fast-paced despite it's claustrophobic settings and wordy dialogues. I didn't agree with some of his choices, at times things make some abrupt
transitions unlike Altman's patient work that gives you some time to breathe in between the cross-examinations of the witnesses. Small criticism,
almost pointless.
And as usual, the director extracted great performances from his cast, being the highlights coming from Jason Clarke as the defendant's lawyer,
and Kiefer Sutherland as Commander Queeg, a role previously played by Humphrey Bogart (Oscar nominated performance) and Brad Davis. Unlike the other
two performers, as great as they were, his take on the delusional captain made the character more challenging for audiences to find out if he's really
insane or not whereas with the other two I always knew what went on because it's a role that can easily go to an over-the-top direction. With Kiefer I
had to give him the benefit of the doubt and sort of erase my memories of the previous films.
My take is based solely on the film alone and that kind of view must come sometimes, without judging a career as a whole or what came before
with the same material. It's a highly commendable work by a master storyteller, it certainly has a great deal of importance with the themes worked
and I had a great time with it. For a final film, it was really impressive and knowing that very few directors can pull it off with an outstanding
final work, the man did it. Au revoir, Mr. Friedkin. 10/10.
