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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 12, 1981)
SALE 50% off winter fabrics 15% off prints and solids 15% off patterns, notions, laces, trims 20% off winter clothing Sale ends 3/15/81 taoREdS Cloth and Clothing 2441 Hilyard Eugene, Oregon 345-1324 Mon-Sat 10-7 Sun 12-6 333 Film Fort Apache, The Bronx West 11th Cinema Alienation and violence are the biggest part of life in the filthy and crumbling South Bronx. The precinct fortress, Fort Apache, is under constant siege. Mothers, kids and the elderly use it as a refuge. The soldiers are lonely and bitter cops putting in their time and waiting for their pensions. Some get murdered by jun kies and some go crazy all by themselves. In Fort Apache is Murphy (Paul Newman), a laconic and independent veteran surviving on a combination of humor and cynicism. He’s no "book” cop like his boss Connolly (Edward fr Asner). He doesn’t think the ug liness surrounding him will dis appear if he acts like a tough guy. His partner is a nice guy, his fellow cops are decent en ough, and he’s in love with a pretty nurse. The streets never change His life falls apart when he sees another cop hurl an innocent kid from a roof. Murphy’s moral crisis, to talk or keep his mouth shut, is the crucial point in Fort Apache, The Bronx, yet it's given the weakest treatment. There are scenes with junkies and whores, knife fights, cop brutality, raunchy sex and incomprehen sible jive talk. These scenes are strong, but there are too many, too often. What it lacks is a good look at the kinds of relationships that form in such a lousy envir onment. Newman’s performance is powerful but doesn’t have the depth it needs to really bring out the character. Murphy would be more memorable if we’d been able to feel more of the emo tional turmoil he faces. Director Daniel Petrie focuses on fast paced, violent action rather than character or plot develop ment. It’s a drawback that doesn’t give the audience any time to concentrate on the kinds of interaction between cops and the people who live in the South Bronx. There is nothing in Fort Apache to show that its prob lems are exclusive to the South Bronx. The film has been cri ticized by residents as racist and stereotyped. The majority of people who live in the area may belong to minority groups. The quality of life in the area may leave a lot to be desired, but people do live there and not all them live on the streets. Sadly, the effect they have on the neighborhood is not represent ed here. By Nancy Monroe Paul Newman and Edward Asner star in Fort Apache. The Bronx now playing at West 11th Walk-in Cinema. WE'RE COUNTING on YQJT 73A Yes, you! Find out about student government, what you can do, and how you can be involved. ASUO Spring Elections Filing for student positions on the Student University Affairs Board (SUAB), EMU Board, Incidental Fee Committee (IFC), and the ASUO presidency is open now. Filing date closes April 6th, 3:00 pm. For more information come to Suite 4, EMU. or call 686-3724.
