tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975416078255909953.post6024729298623787909..comments2024-03-16T18:38:04.996-04:00Comments on Critics At Large : Looking Back: The Sergeant (1968)Critics at Largehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18073851963852030361noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975416078255909953.post-22546723529945265662023-07-30T11:08:05.164-04:002023-07-30T11:08:05.164-04:00The only fault I saw with this movie is it didn’t ...The only fault I saw with this movie is it didn’t allow character development. It seemed to jump to the conclusion too quickly without all the necessary steps to get there. It also took liberties away from reality such as Swanson’s insubordination. Him punching the sergeant and leaving w/o permission would never happen in real life without major consequences.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11510135240611043758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975416078255909953.post-41268311771063678212021-11-15T10:28:30.243-05:002021-11-15T10:28:30.243-05:00I liked this film, it felt timeless, it did not...I liked this film, it felt timeless, it did not make judgment, it made you sympathize with all the characters. The fable-like atmosphere is great, and the acting by Steiger and Law and all the cast was amazing. It's a fascinating combination of 'clinical' and 'intimate'<br /><br />It's too bad Callan took his life, I wish he had help, I wish he had had the chance for a healthy loving partnership with someone. I almost felt the filmakers took the easy road by not giving him a redemption, But maybe that was their point, to show a character already in decline ready to burst and spiralling down. <br /><br /><br />it was hugely triggering for Callan after all these long years of repression & loneliness to come face to face with the "perfection he can't have OR be" embodied by Swanson : hardworking youth, tall, extreme good looks, healthy relationships with his friends, the possibility of a future outside the military, romantic love, confident enough to speak up, but very good at his job, a very beautiful balanced individual<br /><br />he was madly in love with Swanson, but also jealous of all his qualities, he 'needed' to possess him & control him. <br /><br />He looks at Swanson and he sees everything he craves, physically, sexually, professionally. He sees all the long years he wasted & regreted & lost.<br /><br /><br />out of this, the film's story becomes an effective & chilling depiction (probably unintentionally) of psychologically-abusive workplace sexual harassment.<br /><br />and for 1968 it also 'models' sincere moments of brotherhood, compassion & non-judgment of skin-colour or rank or sexualityAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05482616431723832144noreply@blogger.com