The Sweet Ride (1968)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Harvey Hart

Writers:

Tom Mankiewicz (writer)
William Murray (novel)

Release Date:

5 July 1968 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The Cycles... The Surf... And The Swingers That Make It All Go!

Plot:

An aging tennis bum (Tony Franciosa) has protégé beach bum roommate (Michael Sarrazin). Protégé beach...

Plot Keywords:

Beach Life | Motorcycle Gang | Surfing | Beautiful Woman | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.

Cast

Anthony Franciosa	...	Collie Ransom
Michael Sarrazin	...	Denny McGuire
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Vickie Cartwright
Bob Denver	...	Choo-Choo Burns
Michael Wilding	...	Mr. Cartwright
Michele Carey	...	Thumper Stevens
Lara Lindsay	...	Martha
Norma Crane	...	Mrs. Cartwright
Percy Rodrigues	...	Lieutenant Harvey Atkins
Warren Stevens	...	Brady Caswell
Pat Buttram	...	Texan
Michael Forest	...	Barry Green
Lloyd Gough	...	Parker
Stacy King	...	Big Jane
Corinna Tsopei	...	Tennis girl

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:R | Norway:16 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

Malibu, California, USA

Company:

Euterpe

Soundtrack:

SWEET RIDE

Boring Movie, But Terrific Malibu Locale

4 out of 10

Obscure and ponderous film dealing with three bachelors, who live in beach house, and one day come upon a beautiful woman swimming in the ocean. They all make a play for her yet it is Sarrazin who she falls for. Eventually though her erratic behavior and secret past become just too much for him.

The theme is very similar to that of PETULIA, which came out at the same time. Yet that film proved more successful because of it's intricate and stylish narrative and deeper intellectual understanding. Technically this is well directed, but the color is washed out and there seems to be a ugly brownish tone permeating every shot. Some of the sets look cheesy especially the ones used for the indoor bar scenes. The story is too pedestrian and stretched too thin. It starts with some nice interplay between the three men, but by the second hour the whole thing has become really boring. There's some action at the end, but it seems standard and pointless. The resolution itself seems too simple and the relationship between Sarrazin and Bisset is unexciting.

The story does offer some potentially interesting undertones, but the film never pursues them. The girl herself is an interesting element. We come to realize through the course of the film that she lives a very, very sad existence. The film could have been meatier had it a given us a wider scope of her life and not just the little tidbits that it does. It also could have shown us more of a background to her character and examined how she came to being the way that she was.

The films chief asset is the bachelor pad itself. Wow! what a dream for the single male. It's well modeled and sits right on Malibu beach with a terrific view of the ocean. There is beer and liquor everywhere as well as beautiful women coming in and out. The constant sound of the crashing waves in the background really does give off a soothing effect. The setting alone gives this film more points than it might otherwise deserve.

You also have to give some credit to Franciosa an actor that never really attained much stature. Yet his role here may actually be his finest moment. He plays the older of the three men and is as tan, muscular, and good looking as any forty year old can get. He also plays one of the most cocky and most flippant characters you will ever see. He adds zest to every scene he is in. Some of his sardonic comments about his bachelorhood add insight as to why some people are single and want to stay that way.

Dusty Springfield sings a good opening song. She really gives it her all and it is some of her best stuff.