Here is a movie that is far less than the sum of it's parts and textbook example of how one element of production - in the case, the direction - can destroy what otherwise may have been a delightful film. The film is splendidly cast, most notably with Robin Williams (in his first feature role) as Popeye the Sailor, Shelly Duvall as Olive Oyl, and Ray Walston as Poopdeck Pappy. The story is perfunctory but entertaining, the art direction and set design are perfectly suited to the film, and the town of Sweethaven is flush with comical characters creating a believable live-action cartoon world. It would seem that with all these elements, you couldn't go wrong.
Well, you can.
Director Robert Altman must have let the actors have free reign of the characters - a wise move as all the actors really seem to be totally into their roles. Unfortunately, the film is so badly staged and paced that the viewer becomes impatient for things to move along. There are many comical moments in the film, but they are stretched and overplayed to the point of becoming annoying. The slapstick concept seems lost on the director...that Charlie Chaplin wasn't funny because he dressed in mismatched, ill-fitting clothes or acted silly: he was funny because he had brilliant comic timing. The gags in "Popeye" have no sense of timing at all.
Perhaps the worst offense of pacing and timing in the film is the boat chase. It's set to uptempo bluegrass banjo music, but features two rickety, pokey, slow-moving barges. Sounds kinda amusing, except that it goes on WAY TOO LONG. Fast paced music, slow paced chase: it just doesn't work.
It was an ambitious idea, and great care was taken in the casting. Even the baby playing Swee' Pea was obviously chosen for his hysterical lopsided, winking grin. Indeed, every single penny of the budget is up there on the screen. Unfortunately, "Popeye" completely disintegrates in the execution. In someone else's hands, the film might have been much, much more.
Amusingly, the Sweethaven set has become a Malta tourist attraction.
Well, you can.
Director Robert Altman must have let the actors have free reign of the characters - a wise move as all the actors really seem to be totally into their roles. Unfortunately, the film is so badly staged and paced that the viewer becomes impatient for things to move along. There are many comical moments in the film, but they are stretched and overplayed to the point of becoming annoying. The slapstick concept seems lost on the director...that Charlie Chaplin wasn't funny because he dressed in mismatched, ill-fitting clothes or acted silly: he was funny because he had brilliant comic timing. The gags in "Popeye" have no sense of timing at all.
Perhaps the worst offense of pacing and timing in the film is the boat chase. It's set to uptempo bluegrass banjo music, but features two rickety, pokey, slow-moving barges. Sounds kinda amusing, except that it goes on WAY TOO LONG. Fast paced music, slow paced chase: it just doesn't work.
It was an ambitious idea, and great care was taken in the casting. Even the baby playing Swee' Pea was obviously chosen for his hysterical lopsided, winking grin. Indeed, every single penny of the budget is up there on the screen. Unfortunately, "Popeye" completely disintegrates in the execution. In someone else's hands, the film might have been much, much more.
Amusingly, the Sweethaven set has become a Malta tourist attraction.