Last Embrace (1979)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writers:

Murray Teigh Bloom (novel)
David Shaber (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 May 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Tagline:

It begins with an ancient warning. It ends at the edge of Niagara Falls. In between there are 5 murders. Solve the mystery. Or die trying.

Plot:

Harry breaks down and loses his job after his wife is assassinated - could it be his turn next ?

Plot Keywords:

Betrayal | Paranoid | Nudity | Spy | Niagara Falls

Cast

Roy Scheider	...	Harry Hannan
Janet Margolin	...	Ellie Fabian
John Glover	...	Richard Peabody
Sam Levene	...	Sam Urdell
Charles Napier	...	Dave Quittle
Christopher Walken	...	Eckart
Jacqueline Brookes	...	Dr. Coopersmith
David Margulies	...	Rabbi Josh Drexel
Andrew Duncan	...	Bernie Meckler
Marcia Rodd	...	Adrian
Gary Goetzman	...	Tour Guide (as Gary Getzman)
Lou Gilbert	...	Rabbi Jacobs
Mandy Patinkin	...	First Commuter
Max Wright	...	Second Commuter
Sandy McLeod	...	Dorothy Hannan

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | Canada:AA

Filming Locations:

Niagara Falls, New York, USA

Company:

Taylor-Wigutow Productions

Goofs:

Factual errors: Sam translates the Hebrew name "Zvi Migdal" as "big tower". While "migdal" does mean "tower", the word "zvi" means "deer". And it would more properly be called Migdal Zvi, not Zvi Migdal.

Movie Connections:

References Vertigo (1958)

Soundtrack:

THE FORTIES

Niagara Falls

Having watched an interesting documentary recently, "Dial H for Hitchcock", it's clear to see how Jonathan Demme was influenced by the master himself. His admiration for the master is evident, yet, in spite of everything, Mr. Demme's "Last Embrace" was a surprise nonetheless. "Last Embrace" was one of his first films and it sort of showed the trajectory of Jonathan Demme as a film director would follow. If you haven't seen the film, please stop reading here.

When Harry Hannan's wife is tragically killed, his life begins to unravel. Harry spends some time in a sanatorium trying to get himself together. Unfortunately, whoever wanted him put away is still much in evidence as his presence is felt right at the station where Harry is trying to board the train back home to Manhattan.

Harry is taken aback to find Ellie living in his apartment, something he had no idea was happening. It's only fitting with films of this genre that Harry will fall for the beautiful young woman who apparently seems to be trying to help him solve the puzzle about a cryptic death threat he has received at home.

Harry with the help of Sam Urdell, starts investigating about the meaning of the strange message he got. Urdell's connection within the Jewish community also unravels another conspiracy that Harry knew nothing about. The final episode involves going through the tunnels where visitors must enter in order to see real close the Falls at Niagara. Even before that there's also a great scene involving Harry's former brother-in-law in a tower at Princeton, which kept reminding us of "Vertigo".

Roy Scheider makes an intense Harry. In fact, Mr. Scheider at the time this film was made, was at the height of his career and he clearly shows why he was an excellent actor. The beautiful Janet Margolin plays Ellie, a woman who is too good to be true when we first meet her, but we have no clue as to what she is capable of doing. The great Sam Levene is seen as Sam Urdell, who befriends Harry and is instrumental in getting to the bottom of this mystery. In supporting roles some familiar faces who went to do much better work later. Christopher Walken, Mandy Patinkin, Jacqueline Brookes, Marcia Rodd, Charles Napier, among others are seen in the film.

Jonathan Demme proved he was a talent that would go to bigger and better things even then.