source: Chattahoochee

Chattahoochee

This might have been a masterwork. Acting, editing, photography and many other aspects of this film are excellent. Mike Jackson the director of many films surpassed even that work here, but the script is more than a bit heavy handed and clichéd. The writer James Hicks is also an actor—maybe that is one reason the script works well in details. It is less successful in scope and range. Still Frances McDormand reveals her immense potential. Gary Oldman is a genius in all of his film work. Ned Betty and Dennis Hopper do their masterwork. The opening brought back memories for me of Southern summer mornings. Attention to historical detail is terrific. I wish the entire film were as good as the opening sequence is. After that brilliant beginning, the rest of the film seems like too many other films about exploitation. I agree with the reviewer that the director ought to have brought us more into the interior life of the protagonist. Oldman has even more potential than Mr. Jackson used.

i am very much a gary oldman fan. he's never the same in any of his films. the music selection though for this film, just doesn't fit. pamela reed and frances mcdormand were very good. it's a shame i had never heard of this film before, i had just happened upon it, while looking for something other than xmas specials and repeats. dennis hopper's performance was one of the few that i really enjoyed. i was somewhat disappointed with the fact that we never really got to know why foley went off the deep end, and what happened to him after his release. so few actors in films give you that feeling, but oldman and crew, made you want to know more.

Gary Oldman fan or not, the movie grabs you with its graphic portrayal of the horrors of such medieval institutions. The abuses were in no way exaggerated-- they were commonplace in that time, and if some viewers think Oldman's character was too intense, I say he was shaped that way, forced by an untenable situation to struggle to save himself and his fellow patients any way he could. The only part I found unrealistic was at the end when he was assured that things were about to change immediately and drastically after only a few questions from the investigating committee, especially while he was heavily medicated and not entirely cognizant of his surroundings. It couldn't be that easy, otherwise I'd have given it a 10. Think Cuckoo's Nest, minus the comedy, meets Deliverance. It gave me shivers.

Gary Oldman never ceases to amaze me, he is a chameleon who changes with every movie I see him in. In Chattahoochee, he does it again, tearing your heart apart, making you feel each and every nerve that the "mental hospital" opens. The only thing that was lacking was a little more background on why Emmett Foley snaps. It's not a criticism of Oldman's portrayal, at all, it's the wonderful job he does that really wants us to know more about what makes his character tick. We realize that he's come home from Korea a changed person, but there is no interaction with his family which gives you insight into why he thinks he's not deserving of staying with them, and the reasons he gives are somewhat flimsy. Other than that, I still give it 5 out of 5 stars, but of course I could probably watch Gary Oldman read the phone book and still be overwhelmed and enchanted!!

This under-rated movie is an excellent portrayal of the heroic. True love and friendship fight despair and tragedy. The military betrayed its men, the doctors betrayed its sick, and a marriage betrayed its partners. One man is compelled to try and do something about it. The acting is superb, drawing one into the film and leaving one to reflect on one's own life and the society we live in.

An exceptional piece of acting, on the part of Gary Oldman (gee; what else is new?) and Dennis Hopper, who ALWAYS comes through with fine performances. However, Gary Oldman simply transcends acting like no other actor in the world. He is magnificent in this role of a desperate, but good and sincere man. The movie might not be for the squeamish - but it IS for people who enjoy stories of true heroism - portrayed by a genius like Mr. Oldman. I would LOVE it if critics would re-discover this motion picture for its greatness in plot, and its acting. Overlooking Gary Oldman's performance in this film is the biggest crime since "Oliver" won the Best Picture Oscar over "2001"..... Will they never learn?

I have not yet begun to understand how this movie was so ignored. Besides having a beautiful "conquering evils" story, we have here, a masterpiece of acting. Dennis Hopper does NOT give - as Leonard Maltin says - a "glorified cameo" - but brings a superb supporting performance to the film. But it is Gary Oldman who soars above the realm of "acting", who is STARTLING in his performance. This genius of an actor should've received awards, accolades, and acclaim for one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen on screen. If you are a true movie-lover, please take the time to view this brilliantly acted story. Perhaps we can all then get together to get Mr. Oldman his due for a KILLER performance. He certainly deserves it.