SHORT TAKES
JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL (Paramount Pictures):: With vague images of a tarred and feathered Herman Hesse floating uneasily in the background, Jonathan Livingston Seagull soars onto the screen with all the grace and poise of a ruptured duck.
SHORT TAKES
ADMIT ONE
JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL (Paramount Pictures):: With vague images of a tarred and feathered Herman Hesse floating uneasily in the background, Jonathan Livingston Seagull soars onto the screen with all the grace and poise of a ruptured duck. Close to two hours in length, the film traces the philosophically pedestrian odyssey of a bird who’s “different from the rest of the flock” and strives to assert his independence. If you thought the book was insulting, wait until you catch the flick.
SEE the thrilling encounters between young Johnny Gull (the Peter Fonda of the beaked bunch) and his puzzled parents. HEAR a saddened Mrs. Gull wonder about the way her son has turned out. QUIVER to the sound of Jonathan’s voiced-over speech “I want to fly higher than any bird has ever flown before!” THRILL to the sight of Jonathan flying. GASP to the sight of another gull flying. QUAKE to the sight of yet another gull flying. TWITCH to the sight of a few more gulls flying. SNORE to a one hour and forty five minute film of many gulls flying.