Cool Hand Luke has been on a watch list of mine for many months now, but was pushed aside due to its slightly longer runtime that unfortunately led to me watching other things in the meantime. Though, today, I figured it was time to watch it, on a slow day where I had the time and the motivation to just sit and really give it my attention. Cool Hand Luke is a film that I have known of for many years, but due to the song Civil War by Guns N' Roses in which a famous line of dialogue is used at the start.
Despite having never seen the film before, it appears to be part of a genre I have seen done plenty of times in the past. The typical unrelenting protagonist that insists on causing mischief in life, intentionally getting themselves caught for minor actions that break the law and then getting caught, only to have reason to then escape again. It reminded me of two films in particular: 'The Old Man and the Gun', and 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' I love these films a lot, and it seems both were to some degree inspired by Cool Hand Luke. I noticed similarities quite often, which made me appreciate it more despite it having a runtime I did not feel was all that necessary.
But I really did enjoy it. It was a film that felt new, despite very clearly behind quite dated. Shot on film, featuring elements of the 60s, particularly in the more harsher environments and how prisoners were treated. The cruelty of it all, the lack of humanity, but while also displaying the stubborn nature of our souls. The idea of a game of cat-and-mouse, though the mouse wants to be caught, just do have that thrill all over again. It questions the simplicity of life, how some do not fit into society. How some may not be inherently evil, but certainly have their own ideas as they reject societal norms. We see less of this in our stories these days, where we seem to have fallen into acceptance of what society expects of us, and how so few of us reject it. Cool Hand Luke was a nice reminder to, well, let loose.
The first thing I noticed about Cool Hand Luke was its production quality: a 60s era film that was shot on 35mm film of course, but also with anamorphic lenses. The definitely made the film what it is. The scenes are very wide, detailing the vast open landscapes the prisoners work in. It shows the cinematic look of interiors, open and beautifully lit. Making close-up perspectives impactful and wide, clear and detailed for us as the audience to see the emotion in characters there may be little emotion in to begin with. I loved the look of this film, even if it did often repeat the look of locations to display the working conditions of prisoners by the roadside: clearing overgrowth, creating roads, and digging ditches.
Repetition details the boring life of a prisoner. Sent to work day in and out with manual labour and little breaks. As community becomes a significant aspect of life for these people, they form friendships, conflicts, and find ways to pass the time together. We see the very human aspect of these people that perhaps did some awful things, but seek comfort in numbers due to the struggles of life under such a strict routine. What makes the film engaging, however, is our protagonist: Luke. This character seeming to be a troublemaker that seeks the thrill of being chased, but suffers the consequences after. Part of the thrill being caught and then having to adapt and find a way to escape all over again.
The film sheds light on the human mind. The willpower one has despite the internal struggles. Luke being a troubled individual that can't seem to fit in and be a regular citizen, needing to break the law and go the extra mile to find a reason to live. It speaks a lot on society itself and how individuals reach their breaking point and struggle to go on under how societal norms; how for some the idea of imprisonment at the expense of a thrill is worth it to feel alive. The film ensures that we see the good in Luke, however. Often becoming the camp's main interest due to his charisma and seemingly never-ending smile. I mentioned the runtime being a bit long, but it was also utilised well to display these moments of character context, looking into why Luke does the things he does, giving the audience reasons to feel and care for his character despite those actions.
We see Luke in a different light to the others. Being someone quite fragile and certainly not belonging in prison, but being someone capable of earning the trust of those around him. To the point where even they feel for him; the writing propels Luke as some type of saviour to these other criminals, but also ensures the opposite takes place towards the second half of the film. Having given plenty of character development prior to that. Rejection of authority continues to Luke's strongest trait, as he outsmarts others and displays their cruelty over his stubborn nature. What I found interesting was how other characters were written to find sympathy and empathy towards Luke. Even those who punish him sometimes feel for him.
I don't think the script was wasted at any moment. It seems every character and event did serve a purpose. My issues with its runtime merely being due to my own preferences these days regarding them, and my somewhat decreased patience when it comes to viewing and finding the time to do so alongside many other hobbies and responsibilities. Clocking in at just over two hours, I would not say it is a very long film, but I do feel that it could have been slightly shorter, which brings me to my next stage of the review.
Everything about Cool Hand Luke screams that it was made for the big screen. A 60s film featuring western-esque visuals, shot on 35mm film with anamorphic lenses. A slow, engaging story with an anti-hero and a clear antagonist. The film was short in such a manner that it was destined to be a cinematic viewing. One in which its directing and cinematography heavily reflects its potential to be beautiful. Utilising camera movements that zoom into a character's sunglasses, of which reflect characters and events that are unfolding within the distance. It adds to the mystery of a particular character, never really seeing his face. Forever masked by shades. The reflections detailing his perspective directly to the viewer. Which is certainly interesting to see given his perspective is one that witnesses troublemakers that refuse to sit down and accept their consequences.
We see moments in which the camera zooms in and out quickly, sometimes rather slowly. Creative cinematography is used sparingly to amplify certain events, rather than being used as often as possible. The fortunate side of this is that anamorphic lenses carry most of the visuals on their own, with their wide perspectives that allow for really beautiful photography. We see so much of the settings which just adds to the immersion.
For many, the blockbuster is considered a creation of Spielberg. Though I believe that they were created in the 60s with the use of anamorphic lenses found in westerns. Where music and still directing propelled an already strong narrative and set of characters. Cool Hand Luke is certainly one of them, though perhaps not really qualifying as a western itself. Cool Hand Luke is not a film that will have a massive impact on you, but you most likely will appreciate it for its numerous accomplishments in filmmaking. Each area of it being strong, considerate of subject, and ultimately very charismatic.
Though underneat that charisma is a story of freedom. How our minds are forever free, even if our bodies are imprisoned within walls. A free mind can never be broken, or really reasoned with. It does what it wants, and attempts to control a mind will only result in conflict.
