Griffin and Phoenix

In the 70s, I worked offshore in the North Sea and I got to run the projector when we viewed films after coming off shift.

Of the many different films we watched, only two caused the men to linger behind and talk about them. One was 'Over the Cuckoo's Nest' and the other was 'Griffin and Phoenix'.

'Cuckoo's Nest' had an obvious appeal to the mad, bad and sad men who lived and worked on an offshore construction site. It was essential to be mad to work there.

We were Cajuns, Texans, Spanish, Lebanese and men from all over the world. We worked a minimum of 12 hrs a day for months at a time building platforms and somehow surviving each other as well as the job and the sea and the weather.

'Griffin and Phoenix' touched us all for one reason: It was real. On one plane, it is a straightforward love story with moments of deep sadness and even humour. However, the Reality we were affected by was not the story itself or how it was filmed. The thing that got through to all of us, was Peter Falk's anguish.

The very things that made the world warm to Columbo; the rumpledness, the ordinary-ness, the hidden cleverness - Were all there in this film.

It made us really feel that it was ourselves up on that screen; That it was our agony; our dilemma; our fate.

I don't know why it is not shown more often, although I suspect it may be that it would 'interfere' with the Columbo image.

Whatever the reason, I recommend that you seek it out if you want to see acting that transcends acting and becomes universal truth. No bullshit: Some of us cried. We didn't cry when friends got killed in horrible accidents or even when a few of us got the worst news you can get from home

But, some of us cried over this film.

This movie does not strike a single false note. Every touch is right on target. Unfortunately it's almost never shown, so do not miss a chance to see it. Except for the fashions and locations, Griffin and Phoenix has not aged a day. Very beautiful, moving and funny.

When I was an 8 years old boy, owning video set was forbidden in my cursed country, Iran. Those days we were at eight years war with Iraq. In such bad situation, old movies on Betamax video tapes were our family's only fun whereas that was so risky due to country's law .You would have been arrested if it was proved that you have videotapes at home. My father was MD and one of his clients used to rent tapes although illegally. I watched so many great movies, mostly classics, in this way in that time. One of most memorable movies among them was "Griffin & Phoenix: A love story". It was a dubbed version & Its Persian title was "The kite" apparently because of emphasized presence of that motif in the storyline. This name had remained on this movie since before Iranian revoloution in 1979. After I saw the movie; I was stuck into that although I was so little. I watched that Betamax tape over & over again in the next years. Oh my god! It was amazing! The film's impact on me sustained so. I don't know anything about my childish reaction to this movie but now, I certainly can say It's brilliant, a film in the mood of 70s nihilistic cinema with anarchistic characteristics. This movie just made after a highly admired movie, "Love story" by Arthur Hiller, and after that Swedish director, Roy Anderson, Had made his own version of love story in the title of "A Swedish love story". "Griffin & Phoenix: A love story" is a deconstructive adaptation of love story, having less sentiment & added some intelligence with a mentored attitude toward the life. The message is straight: Nothing will be remaining from human except those moments spent on delight and love. I don't believe in an outside realm. All we can get is in this life although all the things have to be faded away gradually, Likewise me, likewise my Betamax videotapes. Unfortunately I have no longer a version of my lovely favorite movie. Sad but true.

Two troubled souls find each other--though time may be running out. A marvelous ABC-TV movie that gave Jill Clayburgh an early triumph (just before "An Unmarried Woman" put her on the Hollywood A-list). The finale, with Peter Falk lashing out on the street, is stunning and staggering in its emotion. It may very well put some viewers off, but I completely understood Falk's character and felt thoroughly his pain and suffering. I've never forgotten that sequence, it is that powerful. Most of the picture is underlined with the usual TV-styled sentiment, however the sincerity of the handling is honestly expressed (thanks to the lead performances and a firm direction). The production is gritty and not glossy (a big plus), and the finale as noted is not romanticized. Worth seeking out.

It has been too many years since I last saw this film, but both Jill Clayburgh and Peter Falk are, in my opinion, perfectly cast as the two friends dying. I can barely remember any of the details, but the heart rending part at the end really stuck and even now, after all of this time, still moves me. If I recall correctly, Peter Falk returns to his car after Phoenix (Jill Clayburgh) dies and discovers he has a flat tyre. He proceeds to get the car jack out of the boot and something, I cannot remember what just makes him flip and he smashes all of the car windows. If I were in his shoes under those conditions, I would probably do the same thing. I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong about the ending, but that is the way I remember it. If you ever get the chance to see it, do so and if possible, try to record it. I hope I get the chance to see it again someday.