Catch-22
1970 Directed by Mike Nichols
Synopsis
A bombardier in World War II tries desperately to escape the insanity of the war. However, sometimes insanity is the only sane way cope with a crazy situation. Catch-22 is a parody of a "military mentality" and of a bureaucratic society in general.
Cast
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Catch-22 is a mess. I'm fairly certain it's meant to be. Episodic, non-chronological, absurd, and surreal, from a distance it looks and feels like it's trying to be too many things. Somehow director Mike Nichols manages (for the most part) to make it all work astoundingly well.
Beginning with one of the funniest first hours I have ever had the pleasure to see, Catch-22 parades its stars about in loosely-related vignettes highlighting the anti-war statement at the core of the story. From mess officers bartering parachutes to the locals (their original owners only noticing once they're in the air) to a too-brief cameo by a young Bob Newhart playing a character named Capt. Major (soon promoted to Major), the first…
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The false scope of the picture (it looks big, but plays cozy), along with some odd processions and decadent set pieces, may leave a Felliniesque taste in the mouth, but the first major thing that strikes you is the avante garde of it - the long shots, the obvious focus on sound, the flashback editing; It almost recalls some sort of bizarre American version of one of Jean Luc-Godard's stream-of-consciousness commentaries (only coherent). And much like Godard's films, Catch-22 stylizes itself beyond the need to entertain. I think the obvious fear here is that the film will polarize Joseph Heller's brilliant work of literary madness by gruelingly displaying - verbatim - the events therein. Instead of indulging this concern, Mike…
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An amazing cast. A bewildering plot. Beautiful photography. Funny, weird, and completely unpredictable in nature (if you haven't read the book). What's not to like?
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there is a combination of really serious stuff and really zany, ridiculous stuff. the film never establishes a tone. i liked the plot structure. seeing things out of sequence, i wasn't sure if certain scenes were actually happening or just in his head. it was a few days ago that i saw it and i can't even remember what actually happens in the end.
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I have a feeling that this film would make no sense if I hadn't read the book. Unfortunately I don't know anyone that's seen the film and not read the book. Anyone out there able to chime in?
However, I think a few scenes beautifully shot and covered a good portion of what I wanted in the film even though those parts didn't make much sense without the source material.
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Catch 22 is a film that tries to do many different things and I think Nichols succeeded, for the most part.
There's a so sudden and big tone difference towards the final act it's weird to think it's the same film. Arkin reminded me of Pryce in Brazil, mostly after the big change in the film. With what they are dealing with and how everybody around them behaves irrational.
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First of all, this film is funny as hell. I got more than a few chuckles out of this one. Some of the scenes, dialouges and particular lines are just funny like that. Which is crazy, because most of the chuckle-worthy things in this movie could be seen as tragic in another light. I praise the people that made it possible to laugh at the dark topics in this movie.
Being funny is not the only thing this movie has to offer, though. Sometimes it truly does get dark, sad and/or terrifying. Some of the things that happen and become clear in this movie are saddening and depressing and puts the whole anti-war franchise in another light than I'm used…
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Dull and disconnected. An astonishing cast, a good level of absurdity and all the right dialogue but the film is strangely lifeless and disconnected, with a smug, self-satisfied feeling to it. It feels more like a collection of sketches and monologues stapled together than a film.
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Excellent mind bending anti-war satire.
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I had no idea this was a satirical comedy. Great performances all round, especially from Arkin. Film fell away in the last act a little but apart from that, very enjoyable.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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Catch-22 is a mess. I'm fairly certain it's meant to be. Episodic, non-chronological, absurd, and surreal, from a distance it looks and feels like it's trying to be too many things. Somehow director Mike Nichols manages (for the most part) to make it all work astoundingly well.
Beginning with one of the funniest first hours I have ever had the pleasure to see, Catch-22 parades its stars about in loosely-related vignettes highlighting the anti-war statement at the core of the story. From mess officers bartering parachutes to the locals (their original owners only noticing once they're in the air) to a too-brief cameo by a young Bob Newhart playing a character named Capt. Major (soon promoted to Major), the first…