The Cavalier daily :: Wednesday, November 10, 1971 :: University of Virginia Library

"Fortune and Men's Eyes" is
supposed to be a film that will
make us all sit up and demand
penal reforms. Unfortunately, the
film is more of a sexploitation
flick, and does little more than
present a series of shocking scenes.
John Herbert's play was weak, the
film script is a little stronger, but
the final effort is not the stirring
document that it could have been.

Little Circles

Director Harvey Hart may be
partially to blame for the film's
failure. His camera does nothing
but run around in tight little circles,
a device acceptable in the confines
of a cell, but somewhat boring
when it becomes so obvious that
we're always conscious of those
circles. Something more is needed
from him to enhance the script and
save good lines from being lost.

The cast includes Zooey Hall as
a tough hustler, Rocky, the
dominating force in one cell. His
performance is adequate, as he
doesn't do much in the story.
Danny Freedman has a hard part
to play in the character of Mona, a
type of person, but with
enough sense to survive the horrors
of prison by being passive.

The most difficult role in the
film is that of Smitty, a nineteen
year old, busted for grass, who
becomes a puppet and then master
of the cell. Wendell Burton tries
hard to make the character
believable, yet there are a few
moments, especially near the end of
the film, that lack credibility.

Burton: Sexual Power Plays

The best part of the film is
embodied in Queen whose name
should tell enough about his
character without further
comment. He is the comic element
in the film, having the best lines
and the only sense of humor in any
of the characters. As played by
Michael Greer, he is truly
something to behold, especially
doing his wild Christmas dance,
"It's Free."

Passing References

"Fortune and Men's Eyes",
despite the excellent acting, doesn't
hold together as a tense portrayal
of prison life. There are passing
references to the drug problem and
internal consumption, but the film
focuses on the sexual power plays
within the cell blocks. The film
could use some stronger writing in
addition to a change of emphasis.
What is up on the screen looks like
"The Boys in the Band Go to
Prison," all shock and little else.

(Now at the Cinema)