Director Paul Schrader's film explores a little of what was wrong with the working class in the late '70s. Inflation, unemployment, corruption and how floorworkers in the auto-industry were continually fucked over. The film gives platform to a rock solid performance by Richard Pryor, which always seems to go
unmentioned when most reflect on his career. This is a heist film that shows who is really being robbed. This is not a pro-union film such as Norma Rae. Here, the Union is inaffective and indifferent, at first, until truths are exposed as the story develops. Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel and Yaphet Kotto don't really come off as romanticized or even as anti-heroes, since their characters do drugs, cheat on their wives and commit petty crimes. When one of those petty crimes reveals more than expected, "THE MAN" works harder at tearing them apart than having them unite. Gritty character drama that deserves a little more recognition.
October 4, 2010
