Michael Cimino

Michael Cimino has written, directed and produced some of Hollywood's most controversial and infamous films. Born November 16, 1943, Cimino studied architecture and dramatic arts. He began his film career as a writer. He wrote the screenplays for Silent Running and Thunderbolt and Lightfoot which he also managed to convince producer Clint Eastwood to let him direct. He has since gone on to write and direct a number of films.

Cimino's directorial debut was no small, film school short. No, it was a full length feature film starring Clint Eastwood. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is the story of a group of bank robbers who go back to find the money they hid seven years ago. But the money is gone and they consider pulling off the crime again. Cimino did an excellent job of not only directing but also writing this film. His characters are sharp and the story is funny but dramatic at the same time. He was off to a great start.

But his best was yet to come. His next film would make all of Hollywood sit up and take notice. The Deer Hunter is an intense, touching drama about the effects of the Vietnam War on three young Pennsylvania boys. This movie can be very difficult to watch at times and is brutal in its portrayal. The russian roulette scenes are almost more than one can bear to watch. This film won Cimino the Oscar for both Best Director and Best Picture. Only his second directorial effort but he was hitting them hard.

Then tragedy strikes. Because of the immense success of The Deer Hunter, United Artists gave Cimino free rein. The result was a film that nearly bankrupted the studio; a film that was pulled from theaters three days after its release; a film that was panned by every critic in the country; a film that nearly ruined Cimino's career. This infamous movie, Heaven's Gate, if the truth be known, is not as bad as film history has made it out to be. Yes, the story is very thin and the characters do seem to be drifting from a lack of motiviation but there are moments of in which the brilliance of Cimino's vision can be seen as clearly as in The Deer Hunter. The locations are beautiful and the attention to detail in this period piece set in the late 19th century are superb. Now if Cimino could just have found something for the characters to do. It is based on events that occured in Montana between immigrant settlers and big cattle ranchers. But beyond that Cimino does not seem to be able to do much with this story. Perhaps some editing on the nearly 220 minutes of this film might have helped.

It would be five years before Cimino would release his next film, Year of the Dragon. This controverisial film is about a NYC police officer who is assigned to keep peace among the asian gangs in New York's Chinatown district. But his past experiences in Vietnam continue to haunt the officer as he fights crime and corruption in this bloody and violent film that was scripted by Oliver Stone. Often seen as a sequel to The Deer Hunter, it is interesting to note that all the New York scenes were actually filmed in North Carolina.

The Sicilian is another bloody and violent film but unlike Year of the Dragon, this film lacks direction and vision. One of the first problems often cited concerning this film is the decided lack of humor in either the story or the actor playing Giuliano. This makes the film long and depressing. The fact that most of the characters are filmed in shadow and much of the dialog is dubbed over the action does not help either. Much like Heaven's Gate, this film is based on actual events but could have used more direction and editing.

Unfortunately, Cimino would fare no better with his next film. Desperate Hours is a remake of a remake of a remake of a remake...you get the idea...that should never have been remade. It is an old Hollywood crime theme that has served its purpose and lost it effectiveness over the years. It is the story of an escaped convict who picks a random suburban house in which to hideout until he can execute his escape plan and get to Mexico. The characters lack intelligence and development making the audience unable to bond with or care about any of them. The story is muddled and often confusing and absurd. The plot has too many loose ends that are either never resolved or left unexplained. This is one film that Cimino should just have avoided altogether.

As well, he should have avoided his next film also. The Sunchaser has a predictable and often laughable script. Not good considering it is a drama. The characters are stereotypical and the story again lacks direction. It attempts to handle too many stories at one time. The New Age mystical healing waters are cliche as is the kidnapper/victim story. It is the story of a young LA gangmember from the "hood" who is dying from a rare tumor. He is in prison for murder but manages to escape his guards while receiving treatment in the hospital. He kidnaps his extremely wealthy and brilliant but self-absorbed young doctor. Yes, you can now predicte the rest of the film. A definite case of been made, seen it, and gave the t-shirt to my little sister.

What can one say about a director who's talents are obviously many but who cannot seem to focus them. All of Cimino's films have their moments. Flashes of brilliance that make you wish for more but most of the time, unfortunately, you don't get it. We can hope that his next film The Dreaming Place will again have the power of some of his better films.