Way back in episode 220, we spoke to American novelist and journalist Jared Feldschreiber about his excellent novella Reckless Abandon.
One of the strengths of the story is how it weaves real life and fictional characters together in its tapestry. One of those real-life characters who crosses the pages is legendary actor Dustin Hoffman. It is well known that Dustin Hoffman is something of a perfectionist, always looking to attaining excellence in his work, and driving others to do the same. This has led to some critics calling him difficult to work with, yet his technique has produced incredible performances in such films as Rainman, The Graduate and Midnight Cowboy. It’s also true that not everything he has done has been successful; that’s what happens when you take risk. Some of those less successful films contain some incredible Dustin Hoffman performances that are sadly not as well known as that found in his more successful work.
Recently we have been talking to Jared about this very topic and collectively thought it would be interesting to create a short series of shows to highlight some of those now forgotten films and the work Dustin created for them. Our aim is to bring these movies to your attention and perhaps encourage you to give them a second chance (or even a first chance if you haven’t seen any of them before).
First up and the subject of this show is Billy Bathgate. This is a 1991 feature based on the acclaimed book by E L Doctorow about the influence 30’s gangster Dutch Schultz has over a young impressionable teenage in the Bronx during that tough decade. Sadly, the feature was a box office disappointment for Touchstone pictures on first release and has been overshadowed by other more acclaimed gangster films from the same period, such as Goodfellas and Bugsy.
During our discussion about Billy Bathgate we will talk about:
· The production problems
· Was Dustin Hoffman miscast?
· Is this Shakespearean in approach?
· Bruce Willis’s performance
· The real Dutch Schultz
· The positive qualities of the movie
And more besides…..
Have you seen Billy Bathgate? If so what did you think about the film – do you think it is worth revisiting?
Please let us know.
Until our next visit to Dustin Hoffman lost classics, we’ll see you At The Flicks
Links
The Mob Museum website, which we discuss in the show
Trailers
Billy Bathgate
Billy Bathgate Excerpt
Film List
Below is a list of all the films and TV Shows referenced in this Podcast.
- A Bronx Tale
- All The President’s Men
- American Buffalo
- Billy Bathgate
- Boardwalk Empire (TV)
- Bonfire Of The Vanities
- Bugsy
- Days Of Thunder
- Death Of A Salesman
- Dick Tracy
- Family Business
- Far And Away
- Fast And The Furious
- Goodfellas
- Hook
- Ishtar
- John And Mary
- Killers Of The Flower Moon
- Law And Order (TV)
- Lenny
- Little Big Man
- Marathon Man
- Megalopolis
- Midnight Cowboy
- Motherless Brooklyn
- Papillon
- Rainman
- Straight Time
- Straw Dogs
- The Cotton Club
- The Godfather Part II
- The Graduate
Disclaimer
Any clips used in this podcast and associated show-notes are taken from YouTube trailers or posted clips. Copyright remains with the original owners. As this podcast involves review, criticism and observation on the copyrighted materials, the clips are used under a ‘Fair Use’ policy. If copyright owners object to such use, please email [email protected] and they will be removed.
