Why (1973) Accidentally found on YouTube, so it is a genuine lost classic. Considering its 50 years old the quality of the film stock is pristine.
I watched this for one reason and one reason only. It stars Tim Buckley playing "the drummer" along with OJ Simpson "the Athlete". The premise of the film is quite simple 3 men and 3 women attend a monthly group therapy sessions with their therapist/ doctor. These talking therapy sessions are filmed and watched back. The cast all have various quirks and hang ups. All have issues with their parents and all have major chips on their collective shoulders "dig" ?.
There's lots of hip jargon, with talk of "cats" the "man", "old man" and "old lady" and a liberal talk of the use of drugs.
Watching this for Buckley, he is actually a decent actor, although he does look incredibly frail and emotionally fragile. Considering he died from an accidental heroin over dose in 1975? He might have been using at this point. He also plays the "drummer" and not the singer, at one point one of his costars is seen putting Tim Buckley's "Happy Sad" LP back in the record rack, good product placement Tim.
What of OJ Simpson, he's great and probably the one out if this mottley crew who was destined for great things, he is charasmatic and steals the show. Honourable mention to the character Bill who plays a gay man with all the subtleties of a 70s sitcom actor, looking like an unshaven Bud Cort he needs to be seen to believed.
Opening animated credits featuring a singer who sounds so like Tim Buckley it makes you wonder if Buckley was meant to sing the theme tune, but declined or legally wasnt contracted. The opening credits are for my eyes and ears the best thing about the movie.
Like all therapies if it works for you you'll swear by it, pretty much like this film. Its captivating, compelling and very very watchable but ultimately it does leave you with that one question, Why?
For Tim Buckley and its curiosity value a
I'd give the film 10/10 but for its sheer akwardness and dated stereotyping its still a watchable 4/10.
