The year 1980 is one of the finest in Hollywood's history and included a brilliant selection of character-driven dramas and a few wildly subversive comedies.
The studios provided mature audiences with moving works that explored nearly everything from aging and mental illness to injustice and loss. It was a special year in an era of film craft that placed characters and stories above special effects and franchise sequels. The qualities offered then are not likely to be seen again in Hollywood anytime soon.
The comedies even offered gifted writing and original characters. In a time before political correctness, the films offered unruly personalities and stories that bordered on anarchy. The movies were raucus, rowdy, rude and insensitive by today's standards, and few probably could not be made in the Hollywood of 2020. But they were hugely popular with audiences and were financial hits for the studios.
The year really was special for films and film fans. Here are my favorites (presented alphabetically) from one of my favorite years for movies.
Airplane! (Directed by Jim Abrahams, Dave Zucker, Jerry Zucker)
Why I like it: Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves and Robert Stack lead an ensemble of cast in an entertaining and successful comedy about mishaps on a commercial airliner. It's silly, often low-brow fun, but it stands the test of time. "Airplane" was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Picture - Comedy or Musical.
Altered States: (Directed by Ken Russell)
Why I like it: William Hurt portrays a university researcher who experiments with hallucinatory drugs and a sensory deprivation tank. The visual effects are dated, but Paddy Chayefsky's screenplay holds up well and the film benefits from the work of a solid supporting cast that includes Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, and Charles Haid.
Atlantic City (Directed by Louis Malle)
Why I like it: Burt Lancaster plays a small-time gangster who gets involved with the wife of a drug dealer in Atlantic City. Before Hollywood focused on making franchise movies, it made outstanding crime dramas for mature audiences, and this is one of those films. The supporting cast includes Kate Reid, Wallace Shawn, and Robert Goulet. "Atlantic City" received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Lancaster), Best Actress (Susan Sarandon), Best Writing, and Best Director.
The Blues Brothers (Directed by John Landis)
Why I Like it: John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd bring their Saturday Night Live characters Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues to the big screen in this mix of music, physical comedy, and car chases. It made for memorable summer entertainment, way back when. The script contains many lines audiences repeated for years and Landis does a fine job of moving it all at a good pace.
Caddyshack (Directed by Harold Ramis)
Why I like it: Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield and Chevy Chase undermine the daily affairs at the exclusive Bushwood Country Club. Dangerfield steals the movie as the club's loud and hilariously obnoxious new member. The film's characters include Dr. Beeper, Maggie O'Hooligan, and (the classic) Lacey Underall.
Coal Miner's Daughter (Directed by Michael Apted)
Why I like it: Sissy Spacek delivers an Oscar-winning performance as country singer Loretta Lynn. Tommy Lee Jones is impressive as Lynn's deeply flawed husband. Watch this film and you will understand why it received seven Oscar nominations. The strong supporting cast includes Levon Helm, William Sanderson, and Bevery D'Angelo.
Flash Gordon (Directed by Mike Hodges)
Why I like it: This version of the Flash Gordon series is campy enough to make for light entertainment, but weird enough to develop a cult following over the years. Only a handful of other films from the 1980s can make that claim. The great Max Von Sydow delivers as Ming.
Gloria (Directed by John Cassavetes)
Why I like it: A great supporting cast of mostly unknown actors combined with deft direction makes for a memorable production. Gena Rowlands is terrific as the lead, a woman with mob ties who takes on the mob to protect a child. It's a role that was about 40 years ahead of its time. Cassavetes also does a wonderful job of presenting New York City.
Melvin and Howard (Directed by Jonathan Demme)
Why I Like It: I consider this one a real gem. It's the tale of a luckless guy who has a chance encounter with one of the world's wealthiest men. It's a low-key look at life that offers several fine performances, and earned a couple of Oscar nominations. The cast includes Jason Robards, Paul Le Mat, Michael Pollard, Dabney Coleman, and Mary Steenburgen, who scored an Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress.
Ordinary People (Directed by Robert Redford)
Why I like it: Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton, and Judd Hirsch star in this intense drama about loss, grief, and mental illness. Mary Tyler Moore plays against type and delivers a powerhouse performance as an emotionally distant wife and mother. The movie won four Oscars, including Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Hutton) and best screenplay.
Raging Bull (Directed by Martin Scorcese)
Why I like it: Intense performances, driven by a wonderful script. While attention is given mostly to Robert DeNiro's work, the supporting performances by Joe Pesci and Cathy Moriarty are outstanding.
Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980)
Why I like it: This is one of my favorite independent movies. It is well written and offers some intersting characters. But it was made one a limited budget and it shows. However, viewers who get beyond some of the obvious flaws will find and enjoyable story about college friends who reunite for a weekend. In 1983, director Lawrence Kasdan, working with a much larger budget and a big-name cast, made "The Big Chill," and did a fine job with the theme. But "Secaucus Seven" delivers a lot of heart in a small package.
Why I like it: Jack Nicholson's is in top form as a man on a steady descent into madness. The film also packs a visual punch, with several chilling and unsettling scenes.
The Stunt Man: (Directed by Richard Rush)
Why I like it: When a fugitive stumbles on to a movie set, he's put to work as a stuntman by the film's odd director. Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback and Barbara Hershey star in this fast-paced tale. O'Toole delivers as the sinister director. The supporting cast includes Adam Roarke, Alex Rocco, and Allen Garfield. The film, which is little-known today, received three Oscar nominations, including Best Actor (O'Toole), Best Director, and Best Writing
Tom Horn (Directed by William Wiard)
Why I like it: Steve McQueen leads a terrific cast in this story of a former army scout who is hired to stop cattle rustlers. It's an entertaining character study with enough action and scenery to satisfy Western movie fans. The gifted supporting cast includes Linda Evans, Richard Farnsworth, Slim Pickens, Elisha Cook, Jr., and Geoffrey Lewis.
Some Honorable Mentions:
The Dogs of War
Dressed to Kill
Heart Beat
Inside Moves
The Long Riders
My Bodyguard
Seems Like Old Times
Used Cars
Where the Buffalo Roam
-- Thank you for reading. Your comments are always welcome. Post them here or email them to kbotterman@gmail.com.
