tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post3257687048048313431..comments2023-11-19T04:43:33.827+11:00Comments on Matt vs. the Academy: 1967 - In the Heat of the NightMatt Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317583098531787395noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-2720347210350539882011-08-28T10:55:53.942+10:002011-08-28T10:55:53.942+10:00I’m quite fond on In the Heat of the Night. I thi...I’m quite fond on In the Heat of the Night. I think it has held up very well all these years, primarily because it didn’t hit you over the head with its message. Norman Jewison has stated that he wanted to keep it entertaining by keeping the murder mystery front and center. Some have criticized the mundane solution to the homicide. I actually think it works better as a robbery gone bad than it would have as a more complicated plot involving business owners. The only issue I have is that it didn’t seem to be that difficult a crime to solve. It oozed atmosphere from the award winning cinematography to Quincy Jones’s score and Ray Charles great title song . It did become the first detective story to win a Best Picture Award, and opened the door for future films of this genre to win the big prize.<br /><br />Of course, winning Best Picture probably was primarily due to its tackling the racial issue. In that regard, it also was handled quite well. Unlike Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Sidney Poitier‘s character, while once again being an expert in his field, isn’t too good to be true. He has issues with ego and his own prejudices that hinder his investigation. I think it was the first film where a black man slapped a white man. The interplay between him and Rod Steiger’s southern sheriff is beautifully handled. I particularly like the scene at Steiger’s home where they find that they aren’t as different as they may have thought. Still, it doesn’t soft peddle the bigotry that was so prevalent back then. The actual final shot of Steiger turning around and walking away is pretty close to what you were looking for, Matt. Maybe the smile could have been excised, but the carrying of the bags was a nice touch. Both actors excelled throughout. Steiger was particularly effective, toning down his tendency to over-act. <br /> <br />Norman Jewison is perhaps an underrated director. Having five of you films nominated for Best Picture is quite an accomplishment. I seriously considered going on the Turner Classic Movies Film Cruise this December. Norman Jewison is one of the guests, and I would have loved listening to him.<br /><br />Stay safe during the storm. Back-up your Blog :)Mike Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953461679716236054noreply@blogger.com