The Last Detail, based on the novel by Darryl Ponicsan - Nine out of 10

The Last Detail, based on the novel by Darryl Ponicsan

Nine out of 10

The Last Detail has Jack Nicholson in top form leading the cast.

If it is only for that and the film is memorable and on the list of films to watch, although it strangely does not make some prestigious compilations, like The New York Times’ Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made.

Jack Nicholson is majestic, imperial in the role of the navy man “Bad Ass” Buddusky, who is assigned the task of taking a convicted man to prison.

He has the same mission as his colleague, “Mule” Mulhall, an African American portrayed with great skill by Otis Young.

Their superior officer explains that Meadows aka the very good Randy Quaid, nominated like Jack Nicholson for an Oscar for his role, has been sentenced to eight years in jail and they are to escort him.

What did he do…kill the old man? Jokes Buddusky when he hears the extraordinary extent of the punishment

In fact, the prisoner has tried to steal forty dollars from the charity box and since that is the principal preoccupation of the wife of his commanding officer, a donation for polio, the judgment was severe.

It is evident as we move along that it was more than excessive.

When they plan their itinerary, Bad Ass is sure that they will complete it in record time and then he says that they would still cash their per diem and that of the prisoner and spend time without him.

It is part of the attraction of the film to see the initial ruthless, indifferent, emotionless Buddusky and his comrade in arms become ever more sympathetic, compassionate and sorry for Meadows.

Because this young, tall man is as helpless as it is conceivable, he did not even steal the money, he was caught as he was - perhaps.  - prepared to do it, had no history of criminal activity…

Except shop lifting, this individual seems to know nothing of life and he is surely unprepared to spend time together with hardened convicts for the next eight years of his life.

Bad Ass tries to put a smile on his face and insists that just as he walks in, two years would be reduced automatically, for good behavior, so there are only six years left already.

Then they abandon the initial plan to put the prisoner away as quickly as possible and then enjoy themselves without him and decide to try to give him as a good a time as possible on the way in.

First, they get a motel room, they get seriously drunk, and Buddusky is confounded by the lack of anger that he sees in the man who has suffered such a blow, for a small misdemeanor.

Meadows is a weak man, resigned to his awful fate and Bad Ass starts kicking the walls and expressing fury on his behalf.

The two navy lifers teach the poor convict some lessons that may help him in prison – if anything could – starting with voicing his opinions, standing up for himself in a diner and then in general.

When a waiter brings Meadows something other than he had ordered, Buddusky is again mesmerized by the lack of reaction and calls the waiter and has the order respected.

Later, in a restaurant car in the train, the prisoner himself insists his eggs are not over easy as he had asked and makes the server bring what he had wanted and then shows off…lesson learned.

The trio visits a worshipping place where they chant what looks like Tibetan mantras, people in there speak about happiness, and then they join a party, where a woman states that Meadows should run away.

It is impossible, they are my best friends retorts the loyal man

Always concerned with the wellbeing of their new friend, Bad Ass and Mule take the naïve companion to a whorehouse in Boston – what we would have to call today a sex workers outfit, probably.

They pay for a young attractive sex worker to be with him and the innocent Meadows comes out thinking the girl likes him, only to be taken down somewhat by the blasé Buddusky.

The latter thinks they should go and see Meadows’ mother before surrendering him to the proper authorities and they do not find her at home, becoming alerted for a minute, thinking that maybe the prisoner has escaped.

Eventually, he tries that, but let us not reveal what happens and if he succeeds.

The main thing is that this is an admirable, wondrous film that is not as known as it should be.