The Brilliant Slap Happy Paul Newman

Yes, they get old. They go. But I'm a bit overwhelmed by the passing of Paul Newman -- the career, the philanthropy, the race-car driving, the gorgeous, iconic man himself -- so I'm not sure where to start. So many Newman roles are not only brilliant, but mean a lot to me personally including, Hud (where he's the most charming son of a bitch you'd ever want to meet, or if you're smart, not want to meet), the fun, sad and inspiring Christ parable Cool Hand Luke, the uber-cool yet moody and complicated The Hustler, The Verdict (which has one of the greatest openings in screen history -- Newman playing that pinball machine) and some of his less talked about pictures, like Pocket Money (with Lee Marvin) or the underrated Sometimes a Great Notion (which he skillfully and beautifully directed). I'll be writing more about these pictures, but for now, I'm returning to a Newman performance that fills me with such happiness, that it occasionally surprises me with its gritty, twinkling power. It's a sports picture after all, and though beloved by legions of fans, feels under-appreciated -- George Roy Hill's hockey classic Slap Shot. Slap Shot is not only the greatest sports film ever made (period) but one of Newman's greatest roles within his long, outstanding career.

I’m not being hyperbolic; it’s just that perfect. A pure sports film, Slap Shot encompasses all aspects of the game: It’s about the team, it's about the coaches, it's about the towns, it's about the politics and, with almost transcendent gusto, it's about the dirt. Hilariously vicious dirt that boasts some of cinema’s most toxic lines -- lines I can’t repeat here. And it boasts the greatest use of that Maxine Nightingale song -- a tune that shouldn't be allowed in any other motion picture ever again. I can only picture cold busses, booze, rust brown flairs, Newman's fur trimmed leather jackets and Strother Martin while hearing this song -- and that's how it should be.

And again, there’s star Paul Newman who, in his older, ruggedly handsome visage, carries the picture with an odd sort of foul-mouthed dignity we simply don't see in movies these days (and so naturally -- if an actor is doing blue, it's always so damn obvious). Playing a middle-aged minor league hockey player/coach, he’s a tough, quick-witted guy, but in quieter moments, touchingly doubtful about his future. He’s attempting to save his washed-up team, and that requires, not surprisingly for hockey, a need to amp up the brutality.

Enter the picture’s greatest addition, the Hanson brothers, a trio of Ramones-resembling prodigies who absolutely annihilate on the ice, but end their days playing with toys in their hotel room (they also, quite memorably, speak in bizarre twin talk that no one can understand). No matter if fellow player Michael Ontkean (whose bitter wife, played by Lindsay Crouse, is so sick of the hockey life, she's become a drunk) isn’t taking to the newer method, the boys get the job done and make the crowds happy.

But their triumphs aren’t simply played for audience gratification, since there’s a lot more to Slap Shot than carving, backstabbing and high, hard ones — there’s complicated adult drama (particularly regarding Newman and his ex-wife, Jennifer Warren) and an extra amount of thought mixed with the humor regarding violence, and just where the hell some of these men’s lives are going. And every single character is quirky, lovable and authentic, with Paul Newman's performance ranking as one of the most fascinating in his career (and those leather outfits! Sweet Jesus, Newman could pull off the slinky brown ensemble).

Also interesting is that, while it's hands-down the most profane sports movie ever made, all of this tough talk was scripted by Nancy Dowd, a woman -- and it received much heat for her salty language and creative uses of the "f" bomb. And it pulls no punches in the mean department. Especially when a frustrated Newman informs a woman that her elementary school son "looks like a [expletive] to me... You better get married again soon 'cause he's gonna wind up with somebody's [expletive] in his mouth before you can say 'Jack Robinson'."

Can you imagine the hero of a movie saying this today? And without every member of the PC police on the actor or picture's case? Or worse, shallow "shock" loving viewers watching the film simply because he utters such nasty dialouge? He's pissed. He just says it. It's not a stupid Dane Cook routine, it's hockey. It is Paul Newman. Oh how I miss the man.

(Please excuse the poor quality of the clip below -- it was the only one I could find...)

Comments

[Jeremy]

I live in Canada where everyone here knows "Slap Shot" is the greatest sports movie ever. I'm gonna miss Mr. Newman he was one of my favorite actors, I loved him alone, I loved him with Robert Redford, I loved him with his wife, he was one of the greats. I'm gonna watch "Cool Hand Luke" now and see that smile.

[Duncan Pittman]

Hud is close to my heart, too. He's "trouble" in a good way in that one.
I need to see Slap Shot. Great tribute, Kim. Keep on writing.

[Jeremy]

'Overwhelmed' is the right word. Even though I knew he hadn't been well I was still just stunned to see the news.
Lovely post on a great man...makes me wish I was at home right now so I could Slap-Shot in as it is indeed a 'perfect' film.

[Phoebe]

Brilliant tribute! Maybe some of those scenes couldn't be shot in our PC era, but they can still be hugely enjoyed.

[Brett Baldridge]

I had just watched "Hud" last week, as I do from time to time. It's one of those movies that doesn't take much coaxing to revisit. In light of Newman's passing, I keep thinking of my favorite line in that picture, to Patricia O'Neal as she's getting on the bus to leave town: "I'll remember ya honey. You're the one that got away." Now that he's gone, and that combination of great talent and incredible humanity likely won't be coming back, that line means that much more to me. Thanks for your writing, as always.

:)

[Katel]

my favorite paul newman films
1. Hud
2. Cool Hand Luke
3. sweet bird of youth (with the sexy geraldine page)
4. The Verdict
5. the hustler

[Ned Merrill]

Just watched SLAP SHOT on Comcast free HD movie channel about a month before Newman died. I hadn't seen it for years and damn if it wasn't a helluva a better movie than I'd remembered. It's a great latter day Newman role, though I still rank THE VERDICT higher. You're right about the brown leather suit, Newman owns it like no one else can, and I had to rewind the line about the owner's son a few times.

The presence of the Hanson Brothers, which is the only part most people remember about the film, causes the film to get lumped into the "dumb sports comedy" pantheon to which it truly does not belong.

Dowd's script is, in fact, really smart and the project's genesis is a really fascinating story in itself. The film is based on the minor league hockey experience of Dowd's brother Ned (who plays Ogilthorpe and was an Ivy Leaguer like Ontkean's Ned Braden; Ned Dowd became a successful film producer). To add a little more authenticity to the project, Michael Ontkean played college hockey himself in the late 60s/early 70s. I wish Nancy Dowd had been treated better during the making of LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS STAINS.

Finally, some praise must go out to the underutilized Jennifer Warren who is an important presence in this film and the incomparable NIGHT MOVES.