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Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)

Director:
Francis Ford Coppola
COUNTRY
USA
GENRE
Drama
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Tucker - En mann og hans drøm
RUNNING TIME
110 minutes
Producer:
Fred Fuchs

Fred Roos
Screenwriter:
Arnold Schulman
David Seidler


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Preston Tucker Jeff Bridges ½
Vera Tucker Joan Allen ½
Abe Karatz Martin Landau ½
Alex Tremulis Elias Koteas
Eddie Dean Frederic Forrest
Preston Tucker, Jr. Christian Slater
Stan Don Novello
Marilyn Lee Tucker Nina Siemaszko
Jimmy Sakuyama Mako
Senator Homer Ferguson Lloyd Bridges
Howard Hughes Dean Stockwell

 

Review

This somewhat hidden gem from Francis Ford Coppola, entitled Tucker: The Man and His Dream, is a remarkably optimistic and high-spirited film about one Preston Tucker, a visionary American car designer and entrepreneur who in the 1940s decided to make the perfect car a vehicle so full of innovation that the existing cars on the market would effectively become ousted. His designs and ambitions were as brilliant as they were uncritical. Setting impossible deadlines for himself and constantly biting over more than it seemed he could chew didn't stop him or break his spirits. But the so-called Big Three (Ford, GM and Chrysler) had to stop him. Or else they would face ruin.

In addition to being an interesting biography on a fascinating man, Coppola's best achievement with Tucker is arguably how he recaptures the positivism and spirit of the post-WWII period in the United States. This was the pinnacle for the idea of the American Dream a time when critical thinking was considered destructive and when people actually believed the cliché we are still told today: You can do anything you want to. A mantra Preston Tucker lived his life by.

The performances are brilliant, with Jeff Bridges revelling in the title role. It's a perfect role for Bridges, who makes full use of his bubbling charisma and somewhat naïve appearance. A host of quality supporting roles and cameos (including a surprisingly emotive Martin Landau) rack up this engaging and beautifully shot film.

Copyright © 7.1.2012 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

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