joseroberto29 Review of Soldier in the Rain

Soldier in the Rain (1963)

Despite Gleason and Blake Edwards, not really a comedy.

[10/10 · 3 May 2005]

Something about this movie just gets to me. I'm a big McQueen fan, and have seen this movie classified as a failed attempt at comedy. But anyone looking for a lot of laughs is looking in the wrong place. While McQueen, as Eustis Clay does overact in this movie, as he was apt to do as he was approaching super stardom, you get the sense he is a true outsider trying to make it as sane as possible for himself. He hates the army, hates being away from his dog, but has made the best of things around him by never letting go of his dreams of civilian success and constantly setting himself up for that point in his life. Jackie Gleason, as Sgt. Slaughter, (is this where the wrestler got his name?) is perfect as the stoic career soldier, set in his routine while amusingly watching his buddy's attempts and thoughts of what the two are going to do once they get out. Gleason knows he's not going anywhere, but is too much of a friend to shoot down his pal. Tuesday Weld is very good as the young lady who came close to probably getting Gleason to actually start coming to McQueen's line of thinking. Future TV stars Tom Poston and Adam West have funny bit parts worth looking for. But the friendship between McQueen and Gleason, from the scene where Gleason pretends he's a doctor over the phone to get McQueen a fan to one of the final scenes where McQueen forgets one of his get-rich schemes due to concern for his hospitalized friend, is what makes this movie standout. The movie is bittersweet throughout.