Customer Reviews

Bobby Deerfield

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is one of my favorite films. For the haunting score. For the restrained direction. And for Pacino's understated, yet ulitmately moving performance. Watch him change from cold, efficient Formula 1 champion to confused lover to enlightened human being who finally understands that finding love is worth the "risk". It is a film a many small, yet revealing moments. This Pacino before the "hoo-haw" phase. His eyes speak volumes. And Marthe Keller is his equal. Only she could bring out the Mae West in him. See it.

This has got to be one of Pacino's best -- and deserves to stand alongside his more well-known classics. But if you're looking for the slow burn-to-rage formula Pacino mastered in "Serpico" and "Dog Day Afternoon," look elsewhere. This is an altogether different film. Silence is used to great effect. The viewer is left to ponder dialogue and action rather than having the characters explain.

As the rigid Formula One driver who has never considered death -- until a crash and a dying girl are suddenly thrust upon him -- we watch Pacino undergo a convincing change. Little by little we see a simple adage, 'everything is sweeter when you take a risk,' take hold and help him reclaim the reality of his life.

Deerfield's story -- and the power of that little phrase -- should be a motto for us all! And the irony of this movie is that the story upon which it is based, by Erich Maria Remarque, is called Heaven Has No Favorites.

Pacino once said that he felt closer in spirit to this character than any other he'd played, and it's not difficult to see why. The onscreen romance between Deerfield and Lillian Moretti also became an true-life love affair between Pacino and actress Marthe Keller, who gives a remarkably sympathetic peformance.

It doesn't hurt that the setting for this film is summer in late '70s Europe, with terrific scenes in Switzerland, Paris, Florence, and the Tuscan countryside. (Someday, this viewer will treat himself to Leukerbad to Milan drive a la Bobby). And it also doesn't hurt that the soundtrack was composed by the master of '70s movie music, Dave Grusin.

Now if the powers that be will only re-release "Bobby Deerfield" on DVD, concurrently with the soundtrack on CD, we'll all find a bit more happiness in our lives.

Watch this film if you are one of us "40 somethings" that used to frequent Europe in the 1970's, as teenagers...in search of new love (a.k.a SEX!) and finding oneself.

I agree with one of the reviews posted here that says this film is "a mood piece". And that it is! More than any "deep story" about a race driver etc...or the life and death of a young, eccentric woman....its simply a beautiful film.

I was not surprised to learn today that Sydney Pollack directed this fine cinematic artwork. He is a very capable director, just watch "Out of Africa" if you want to see some exceptional film making!

I gave this film 3 stars for the calm, romantic, almost "haunting style" the film projects onto the viewer....and Pacino's 1976 Alfa Romeo GTV sports car, driving around those old streets of Italy rated 2 stars all by itself!

If you loved the Europe of the 1970's...before it became "Americanized" and full of McDonald's etc....this is a throwback film classic for you. If you never visited Europe in the '70's....I don't recommend this film to you. Its for those of us "who know what it used to be like"...and wish it were still that way.

Finally...why on God's earth is this film not released onto DVD format? When you see all the crap that is available out there on DVD...how could this film be overlooked? Give me a break!

This is a great movie based on an original story by the German author Erich-Maria Remarque (of "all quiet on the western front" fame). The story sees Pacino as the main protagonist Deerfield transform from a controlled and efficient race driver to a confused and soft-hearted lover. He meets the love of his live while visiting a Swiss sanatorium. She is terminally ill with cancer. Despite the tragic topic the movie and the characters achieve an air of lightness and sublimity that is almost unreal. So is the wonderful and sensitive cinematography and direction of the great Sydney Pollack. Long before we would go ooh! and ahhh! over his "out of Africa" splendor he created this perfect and minimalistic mood piece, where the camera work is right on, be it on the race track or in quiet apartment scenes. Marthe Keller and Al Pacino are wonderful as well and the soundtrack will haunt your memory.

How do people come to understand each other in a new relationship and overcome the obstacles that are largely their own creation? One of the two knows something and is trying to help the other go beyond his limitations so they can be together on the terms she is compelled to follow. Their struggle and the beautiful European countryside settings made this an engrossing and rewarding experience for me. I also enjoyed the feel of the "culture of Europe." Also, I don't believe I saw anyone shot. or a gun at all.

This isn't about opening up to real love, it's a mood piece. It's less about Al Pacino's acting than about the great leather jacket he wears. Forget the plot. The real beauty is in the mood combined with the visuals: the clothing and apartment interiors, the shots of the race cars, the train that takes cars through the mountain tunnel. It's a stunning film on that level. Who knows if that is an accident. Who cares.

I wonder if most people even know or remember this film. I saw it in the theatres and have loved it since. I am so glad to see that it is finally being released onto DVD. Very Europeanan style (especially the score),the film follows the beautiful and tragic love affair between Pacino and Keller (they became a real life couple during the filming). Based on the Erich Maria Remarque novel, "Heaven has no favorites", director Sydney Pollack knows how to create a beautifully romantic tapestry with the touch of tragedy always hovering overhead. Even though it isn't too hard to figure out how the film will end once introduced to Kellers character, Lidea Morelli, you don't care as you want to saver every moment the couple have together, just as they do. The main theme running throughout the film (as in all of Remarque's work) is death, from Deerfield's brush with it everytime he races, to Keller's character dying from TB, but you get caught up with quest she has to live each day as an adventure and find the gift that it has to offer you. Lidea's gift to Bobby is to discover himself behind the dark glasses that he wears all the time, so that no one will be able to recognize and know who he is. It's in her dying that brings life to Bobby. My favorite scene is during an afternoon picinc in the countryside and Bobby is frustrated over the enigmatic nature of her character. He wants to know who Carlos Montenegro is, whose land they are having the picinic on and has invited her for a hot air balloon ride the next day. He keeps repeating "Who's that man, who's Carlos Montenegro?" and she finally turns to him and quietly asks, "Who's Bobby Deerfield?". Great film making. I've read some dissapointing reviews about this film as it wasn't well received at the time it came out but I think it just got lost as gems often do when they're not mega blockbusters. Check it out, you may be surprised.

I saw this movie a while ago and I could not let others be misguided by those who think it's not worth it. I won't say it's Pacino's best, but there is a certain mood and subttlety about this flick that really captivated me when I first watched it on cable. I believe many of us can relate to the main character's drifting away from his everyday, stressing life and wandering into something new, that will give him a broader view of life, his life. This is not a movie to watch with all your friends, but rather to enjoy by yourself on a lazy saturday afternoon.

I have seen this movie several years ago on cable and have been in love with it ever since. I have been waiting for years for it to come out in DVD. This movie is fantastically produced and very well directed. I love the era this movies was made in and can only recommend it very very higly. A true Classic. Pollack never received the credit he deserved for this movie.

One of my favorite Pacino movies ---beautiful music, scenery and a sweet story about a man who had his life changed when he learned to love a woman who was dying ---Marthe Keller is great in this movie - quirky and interesting, and Al is in a very untypical role for him. Wish he had done more movies like this one. I would recommend it to any fan of Al's.