Linkshoch Wonderful Movie

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

Rexanne It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Kimball Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

PimpinAinttEasy Dear John Frankenheimer,first of all what a terrific visual style. It is films like yours that makes American cinema such a pleasure to watch. Though you did overdo it a little bit. Some of the images like when the plastic surgery was going on, were truly scary. The visuals conveyed the anxiety and paranoia of the characters. The train sequence at the beginning was simply terrific. The weird camera angles and the jolty editing created a terrific effect.It is an extremely depressing film. I still do not understand why the protagonist was unhappy with his new life. The guy had everything. I would have gone for it. But then, you Americans have to prove to the rest of the world that you guys are unhappy no matter what. I mean, what did this guy not have? But I loved the story. You made the film nearly ten years before Antonionini and more than 20 years before Singeetham Sreenivasa Rao.Rock Hudson was probably a bit too good looking for the role. But he does not take away anything from the film.Best Regards, Pimpin.(8/10)

Jackson Booth-Millard I found this film listed in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, I had no idea what it was about, but it had good reviews, and I was willing to try it, directed by John Frankenheimer (Birdman of Alcatraz, The Manchurian Candidate, Ronin, Reindeer Games). Basically in Scarsdale, New York lives middle-aged banker Arthur Hamilton (John Randolph), he is married, but their love has dwindled over the years, and he has a grown up daughter, who he hardly sees anymore, he is generally disengaged with everything in life. Hamilton receives a series of phone calls from his supposedly dead friend Charlie Evans (Murray Hamilton), and following this he is drawn to a company that provides him with a second chance at life. The company convinces Hamilton that he has little to live for in his current life, his "rebirth" will include a new body to replace his current body after he dies, enough money for his family to live comfortably after his departure, enough money for him to start his new life, a surgical makeover, and a new identity based on his desires is his subconsciousness. Hamilton goes ahead with the procedure, his new identity is Malibu painter Antiochus "Tony" Wilson (Rock Hudson), a counsellor of sorts is provided for him to assist in his transition, acting as a housekeeper named John (Wesley Addy), who to make the transition successful attends his emotional requirements. But even with John's help, and despite or perhaps in spite of meeting and falling in love with Nora Marcus (Salome Jens), Tony is finding it difficult to make the transition, also despite or in. Tony decides to try and see where he went wrong in his life as Arthur Hamilton, where he went wrong in his transition to become Tony Wilson, and where to see where he will go next, it is unclear whether the company will help him get what he wants. Also starring Will Geer as Old Man, Jeff Corey as Mr. Ruby, Richard Anderson as Dr. Innes, Karl Swenson as Dr. Morris, Khigh Dhiegh as Davalo and Frances Reid as Emily Hamilton. Hudson was an underrated actor, perhaps due to his roles in romantic comedies like Pillow Talk, here he gives a good performance as the disturbed man going through drastic plastic and personality surgery, this film makes good use of black and white colour, it is very strange and often complicated, with the idea of spiritual and physical rebirth, almost ahead of its time, but it is overall an interesting cult science-fiction thriller. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Cinematography. Good!

vincentlynch-moonoi I don't usually review films that over 100 others have reviewed, but occasionally -- when I feel strongly about a film, either positively or negatively -- I will waive that guideline. And I obviously feel strongly about this film.For starters, the initial premise that a businessman will voluntarily get into a completely dark meat truck to be taken to some secret location for a purpose he doesn't know. Ridiculous. The only thing good about the film's early scenes is the performance by character actor John Randolph.And then we have the nude hippie wine festival. To what purpose? I'll tell you what purpose -- merely to slip some pop culture into the film.The beginning and end of the film is very Rod Serlingish, which reminded me that this film had all the substance of a half-hour teleplay...well, okay, maybe an hour.The supporting actors are mostly from television...and it shows. Salome Jens...really...the female lead??? It was slightly interesting seeing Will Geer in a non-"Waltons" role.You may think I'm not into Rock Hudson films. Not true; Hudson made many fine films; this is not one of them. Similarly, director John Frankenheimer made a number of particularly fine films; again, this is not one of them.This is just a film that had potential, but never quite made it. Hudson was beginning his career decline right about this time, hence the better films were not going in his direction. I'm not into cult films...and this is a cult film that was unsuccessful upon release. And it's clear why.

Al_The_Strange At some point, everybody takes a good look at their lives and wants to change something about it. Maybe you're unhappy with your job. Maybe you wish you could have a hotter girlfriend. Maybe you're worried that life is passing you by, and you want to be young again and live it up some more. Maybe it's time to reinvent yourself. In this film, a guy reinvents himself to rectify all of these things. The big twist is, he does so with the help of an ominous and mysterious corporation.This film has a pretty interesting premise. Combined with its style, it comes off as a fairly gripping thriller; there is a sense of anxiety that permeates key scenes and keeps you wondering what will happen next. The film drags in just a few spots (mostly in the middle), but it is interesting and sobering to watch this guy go through an artificial rebirth and live a second life.The story is pretty well-structured. The momentum sputters a bit in the middle, as the character wanders around in his new body and figures things out. However, the set-up and conclusion are solid, and the characters overall are fairly well-developed. Above all, this is a film that boldly holds a mirror up to the 1960s culture and shows a rather eerie reflection. I could see it as the man's transformation mirroring the transformation of culture, moving from the conservative 50s to the radical free-loving 60s counter-culture movements, but the film makes it out to be a total nightmare. As such, the film challenges the notion that people have to be young and successful to be happy. It also puts a pretty ominous spin on corporations, using people like putty to shape them into whatever they determine, all for the sole purpose of making money.The film is phenomenal, for it boasts some incredible photography. There are a ton of wild and unusual camera angles, many of which seem less like what you'd find in the 60s and more like what you'd see in modern films (especially when the camera tracks a person's head or body, keeping it still while the background moves; that is very much the same kind of thing you get with webcams, which many modern movies use, and I think it's an awesome achievement for Seconds). Camera moves are especially fluid and interesting. Editing is really great, especially with some of the more surreal scenes. Acting and writing are impeccable. This production has some great-looking sets, props, and costumes. The music score is pretty effective too.Despite a few slow parts, Seconds is a bold film with a bold style and a ton of bold messages. I'd gladly recommend it to anybody.4.5/5 (Entertainment: Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect)