Last Detail, The

Released by: Twilight Time Releasing
Released on: January 19th, 2016.
Director: Hal Ashby
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Nancy Allen, Randy Quaid, Otis Young, Clifton James, Carol Kane, Michael Moriarty
Year: 1973
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The Movie:

We've all become pretty accustomed to "crazy but fun loving" Jack Nicholson over the last few years. Having pretty much moved into semi-retirement, the screen legend ended his acting career with too many paycheck roles where he shamelessly mugged for the camera like ANGER MANAGEMENT and THE BUCKET LIST. Truthfully though, the man's tendency towards ham had been going on for decades - dating to his cocaine fueled frenzy in Stanley Kubrick's THE SHINING.

In many ways, Nicholson has never been an easy actor to warm to. Even when he's "zany" there is always that intense edge to the man. His technique can be obvious. Campy even. But as hard as it is to believe now, there was a time when Nicholson was a genuinely edgy and brilliant performer. The proverbial coiled spring, he starred in a few 1970's films that stand today as some of the finest examples of the decades zeitgeist. CHINATOWN, FIVE EASY PIECES and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST remain revered even now. But there's a forgotten film in that group.

THE LAST DETAIL is my favorite Jack Nicholson performance. Scripted by Robert Towne and directed by Hal Ashby, this tale of two low ranking naval petty officers tasked with transporting a pathetic seaman prisoner to the brig is not just a gripping character study. It's a fantastic portrayal - devoid of all sentimentality - of life in the armed services. Structured as a road trip film, our three not-really heroes not-quite zeros have a series of adventures that manage to both amuse and instruct the audience. Nicholson's Buddusky is a scrappy guy who's pretty mad at the world but not without compassion. He's a hothead and anti-authoritarian who's paradoxically comfortable in the rules and regs world of the navy. He's partnered with Otis Young's Mulhall - an African American as level headed as Buddusky is combustible. The two men's nicknames are instructive. Buddusky goes by Badass. Mulhall goes by Mule. The wild card and the plodder. Given a week and a nice per diem to transport their prisoner the boys plan on hauling ass and getting their cargo to the big house in two days and then spending the rest of their time getting drunk and whoring around the east coast. But Buddusky ends up taking a weirdly sentimental shine to Randy Quaid's childlike and pathetic petty thief Meadows. He's determined to get this underage virgin drunk and laid. There'll be bathroom brawls with Marines and visits to seedy brothels and contretemps in bars. Badass will try to beat some piss and vinegar into pathologically passive Meadows. Mule will tolerate all this and sometimes even enjoy himself. But when it's all over, they'll ultimately do their duty.

For a film shot in a hyper realistic manner that captures perfectly the slipshod landscape of 1970's America, there's something oddly endearing about this journey and these characters. This is the Vietnam era USA of shitty roadside diners, president Nixon and grimy motels. The beer is cheap and good for little more than getting blotto. Mule happily exclaims how much he loves riding trains - while in a shopworn passenger car with cracked leather upholstery from what looks like the 1920's. But dammit, Nicholson is FUNNY. Whether he's cursing out the TV shirtless (all the better to give us a look at his tacky tattoos) or trying to impress a pre-stardom Nancy Allen (DRESSED TO KILL) at a hippie party with an absolutely hysterical line of metaphysically themed bullshit, the man makes you love him.

One of the greatest strengths of THE LAST DETAIL is its three pitch perfect central performances. Nicholson may get the flash, but Quaid's Meadows is stunning work too. The actor captures a vulnerability that breaks your heart without ever slipping into maudlin pathos. It's a real high wire act - and Quaid never falls. Young's Mule is great too: the subtle undercurrent of race in America is always there with him. This was a time when precious rights had just been "won" and many black men (especially in the armed forces), felt they needed to be just a little bit more "careful" in their day to day conduct. This is a guy you'd like to hang with however. He may be stolid but he's no killjoy zombie either.

Everything about THE LAST DETAIL screams period authenticity mixed with a little sly humor. The military themed soundtrack is a nice touch. The cinematography perfectly nails the era and the weather. This is a film shot in the winter with everybody bundled up and looking uncomfortable. All of this should bum you out a bit. But despite the squalid scenery and cheapjack ambiance, this is a world I'd love to hang out in as long as these guys were in it. And keep an eye out for a young Michael Moriarty

Video/Audio/Extras:

Twilight Time's 1.85:1 AVC encoded 1080p presentation has a nicely organic look. This is a film that often intentionally goes for a dank and under-lit aesthetic much like Scorsese's TAXI DRIVER so adjust your expectations accordingly. Overall detail is good and crucially, black levels are strong. Twilight Time got this transfer from Sony and that studio continues to happily avoid DNR so all is fine on that front. This is a solid middle grounder in terms of HD and a significant improvement in all important areas over the previous DVD. Fans will be pleased.

Audio is covered by an unremarkable DTS-HD mono track that does what needs to be done. Range is limited but clarity strong. There's nothing negative to report here. The audio tracks were kept in good condition and there are no audible flaws. Twilight Time also provide the score on an isolated DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo track. This obviously fleshes the music out and is a welcome addition to this package.

Aside from a theatrical trailer and an excellent Julie Kirgo essay on the film and its rightful place in the world, this disc has no extras. Too bad. A commentary track would have been most welcome to say the least.

The Final Word:

This is one of my favorite films. Buy it.

Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!