July 31, 2016

Richard Todd, The Hasty Heart

as LACHIE

I've watched a lot of duds. I've seen the same old fare repurposed ever-so-slightly through the subsequent years. So at face value, The Hasty Heart might seem like just your average forgotten 1940's wartime drama, and to a certain extent it very well is. It's fairly conventional filmmaking that can hit up some hokey avenues at times. But every so often, I bump into the occasional needle-in-the-haystack, coming into a film without any expectations and leaving surprised and impressed. Richard Todd is the reason why I sought out this film, and he does not disappoint.

Every single time Todd is onscreen he's got your attention. You're hooked on him. That fiery Scottish accent he plays up is a sure-fire contribution to his magnetism from a pure aesthetic standpoint, but what was so surprising for me was how Todd layered Lachie with so many dimensions. At first hardened to an increasingly annoying fault, you begin to see him peel away at Lachie, revealing the character to be one buried in vulnerabilities beneath that bitter exterior.

What I was most impressed by--and what I don't usually get to see--was Todd's bare approach to his character's emotions. Usually when we see 1940's "men" get emotional, it's within a moment, maybe two, mostly brief, and stifled by restraint; when Todd summons the feels, he doesn't hold back, in turn creating a very vivid balance between your standard headstrong, brusque "man's man" who's ultimately revealed to be a poignant, naive, and rather helpless boy. I think I've read here and there that people have found Todd to have ventured into "OTT" territory -- and that makes sense.

His accent is strong, it's colorful, and when mixed with an early repetitious resentment I can see how some might deem it hammy. But say what you will, I found it all to be rooted in passion. Everything Todd does, it feels like the man is giving his all. He is lovable even when he is most exasperating. And doesn't that align perfectly with the character? That we stick with him even in spite of his difficulties? I love that the performance does not read as insincere. His conversations with Patricia Neal and his outbursts in the latter half of the film, how he reacts to the big reveal of the film and his final breakdown are done beautifully. He is a delightful, plaintive center who breathes life to a satisfying and safe picture.


11 comments:

  1. I found the film tedious and Todd, indeed, OTT at times. Don't get me wrong: overall I think he did a decent enough job but there were times I caught him "ACTING" where I think he could have toned it down a notch or two. A middling performance in a so-so- film.

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    1. I'm afraid I disagree - I can definitely see how he'd be over the top, but a part of me is inclined to believe that this was meant to be an over-the-top kind of character. In that sense, it made me appreciate it more!

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    2. I recently saw this film again after many years and came to it with a different perspective. In between viewings came a career working with inner-city teens who'd been abused, neglected and/or raised in 'gangs; kids who grew up fast without ever having the chance to just be children. Part of working with them is seeing the boy in each respond so strongly when the chance is safely offered that you can barely keep up with them.

      THAT is what this film gets so right. It didn't hit me the first time but it does now and it's amazing that a war film made in 1949 dared to show such vulnerability in a male character without shmaltzing it up (oh, maybe it does a bit). Todd is a bit strident at times, but his childlike ebullience when Lachie is finally depending on his new friends is not only infectious but also very familiar. And I love their reactions: they're both moved by him and a bit overwhelmed with his newfound neediness. Still, you find yourself feeling protective of and warm toward Lachie because he's so vulnerable; at least I do, and I give credit to Todd for that. What I initially found overdone (I left my first 'review' up because, well, opinions can change) is actually closer to the mark than I understood when I first saw THH back in the day. Also, Ronald Reagan is very effective as Yank and I think his reactions to Lachie show not just warmth but also how much WORK it is to befriend someone so in need of your compassion.

      These themes are not 'standard' for films of the 1940s by any means, so while the actual moviemaking here is rather conventional, the subject matter and performances are unique and honest. I'm glad this blog prompted me to take a second look because this film was worth reconsidering and recognizing its actual merit, which is more than I was able to understand the first time around.

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  2. I really wasn't expecting this! How was Patricia Neal?

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    1. I wasn't either!

      Hmm...I liked Neal and she has solid moments, though I'd say it's a standard performance overall.

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  3. LOL, I think I never heard of this and had no idea he was nominated :)

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    1. lol, well I guess that's what I'm here for :-\

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  4. 5!!!

    I am extremely interested in this now, especially because I think Patricia Neal is a great actress.

    P.s. I have to confess I have not heard of this performance until your entry though. But I have never really acquainted myself with the best actor nominees of this decade.

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    1. I'd say check it out. It's at least a very easy film to watch. Hardly a profound one, but doesn't overdo it with sentiment so it's enjoyable enough. Glad to get it on your radar!

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  5. I join those who didn't even remember this performance getting nominated. :)

    good to hear some great ones outthere

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    1. Always fun to run into a good one when I'm typically drowning under mundane ones :-\

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