The Doomite
Joined Mar 2001
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Reviews22
The Doomite's rating
OK, right off the bat, I'll admit that this movie isn't anywhere near "Citizen Kane" as far as motion picture greatness is concerned. But it's also nowhere near the dog that most reviewers make it out to be. I should know. I've watched "Moment by Moment" 3 times, and it seems like I get a bit more truth out of every viewing. Sure, Lily Tomlin may be more of a comedienne than a dramatic actress (I've got "9 to 5" on DVD, and it's great to see her taking on Dabney Coleman's "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" of a boss along with Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton). I can also see how John Travolta took a major risk as an actor by playing ultra-sensitive Strip after hitting it big with tough guys Vinnie Barbarino on "Welcome Back, Kotter" and Tony Manero and Danny Zuko in "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease", respectively. But come on guys, give this film a chance!
Travolta's Strip is basically a drifter, a young runaway trying to survive in southern California. Tomlin, as Trish, is a wealthy, disenchanted older woman who's about to go through a divorce from her cheating husband. Both Trish and Strip have had it with their respective worlds. Strip wants to make something of his life, and Trish is trying to find some excitement in hers amidst a sea of boredom, although she doesn't acknowledge this when Strip first takes notice of her. Throughout the movie, both Strip and Trish learn from each other about life. Trish learns to follow her heart more often, instead of what her high-class "friends" think she should do with her life. Meanwhile, Strip learns that his dreams of getting out of his dead-end life aren't enough, that he needs to do whatever it takes to follow through with them. I believe that the main idea of this movie is that you have to BE YOURSELF, no matter what society thinks of you. And that's probably the main reason I like this movie so much (all right, I have to admit that the younger man/older woman thing was the first thing that turned me onto the film, but the reason I just gave about being yourself rates an extremely close second).
If someone were to watch this movie only once, I can understand them trashing it for (among other things) the weak points in the dialog and Lily Tomlin's seemingly frozen mask of boredom and disillusionment. All I'm asking is that if you're ever lucky enough to see "Moment by Moment" (you can still find "unofficial" videos of this movie on eBay, and I've heard that it sometimes shows on WE or AMC), don't dismiss it as some lame, late '70s chick-flick. I'm a straight guy, thank you very much (who, incidentally, is in a relationship similar to that of Trish and Strip's, but far happier), and I can still see the truth hidden in this under-appreciated film. Hopefully those who read my review (and/or see the movie for themselves) can, too.
Travolta's Strip is basically a drifter, a young runaway trying to survive in southern California. Tomlin, as Trish, is a wealthy, disenchanted older woman who's about to go through a divorce from her cheating husband. Both Trish and Strip have had it with their respective worlds. Strip wants to make something of his life, and Trish is trying to find some excitement in hers amidst a sea of boredom, although she doesn't acknowledge this when Strip first takes notice of her. Throughout the movie, both Strip and Trish learn from each other about life. Trish learns to follow her heart more often, instead of what her high-class "friends" think she should do with her life. Meanwhile, Strip learns that his dreams of getting out of his dead-end life aren't enough, that he needs to do whatever it takes to follow through with them. I believe that the main idea of this movie is that you have to BE YOURSELF, no matter what society thinks of you. And that's probably the main reason I like this movie so much (all right, I have to admit that the younger man/older woman thing was the first thing that turned me onto the film, but the reason I just gave about being yourself rates an extremely close second).
If someone were to watch this movie only once, I can understand them trashing it for (among other things) the weak points in the dialog and Lily Tomlin's seemingly frozen mask of boredom and disillusionment. All I'm asking is that if you're ever lucky enough to see "Moment by Moment" (you can still find "unofficial" videos of this movie on eBay, and I've heard that it sometimes shows on WE or AMC), don't dismiss it as some lame, late '70s chick-flick. I'm a straight guy, thank you very much (who, incidentally, is in a relationship similar to that of Trish and Strip's, but far happier), and I can still see the truth hidden in this under-appreciated film. Hopefully those who read my review (and/or see the movie for themselves) can, too.
Like many of the other reviewers on this site, my earliest memories of seeing this cartoon were created in my after-school program, with the film being shown on an old projector. I remember Rikki-Tikki-Tavi to be one of the coolest films that we were shown as kids back in the mid '80s. This cartoon classic had everything: adventure, humor, suspense, just a touch of evil (with the two cobras, Nag and Nagaina) to make things interesting, a great story, and a happy ending.
Fast-forward to the present day. By chance, I saw this video for sale at the local Wal-Mart, and the memories started to come back into my mind. Needless to say, I bought the video and watched it again this afternoon. Everything was almost exactly as I remember it from back in the day. Plus, since I've grown wiser with my years, I came to recognize this cartoon as a real classic piece of work. The animation is solid and consistent, just what you'd expect from Chuck Jones. All of the voice work is good, but the stand-out performance has to go to Orson Welles as the narrator, Nag, and the sniveling muskrat. Not only do I now know about Welles being the mastermind behind "Citizen Kane", I also respect his work from his later years, as he provided narration for a couple of killer Manowar songs. I'm glad that I bought the video, as it will most likely become a well-loved addition to my collection. See this with your kids and let them create their own memories of this great cartoon!
Fast-forward to the present day. By chance, I saw this video for sale at the local Wal-Mart, and the memories started to come back into my mind. Needless to say, I bought the video and watched it again this afternoon. Everything was almost exactly as I remember it from back in the day. Plus, since I've grown wiser with my years, I came to recognize this cartoon as a real classic piece of work. The animation is solid and consistent, just what you'd expect from Chuck Jones. All of the voice work is good, but the stand-out performance has to go to Orson Welles as the narrator, Nag, and the sniveling muskrat. Not only do I now know about Welles being the mastermind behind "Citizen Kane", I also respect his work from his later years, as he provided narration for a couple of killer Manowar songs. I'm glad that I bought the video, as it will most likely become a well-loved addition to my collection. See this with your kids and let them create their own memories of this great cartoon!