THE GRASSHOPPER (1970)

 

Title: THE GRASSHOPPER

Year of Release: 1970

Director: Jerry Paris

Genre: Drama

Synopsis: A restless young woman from Canada runs away from home and becomes a Las Vegas showgirl, but is undone by her flippant and promiscuous behaviour.

Within a film history context: Films about showgirls have appeared many times over the history of cinema from its earliest days. In the silent cinema narratives about showgirls ranged from Edmund Goulding's SALLY, IRENE AND MARY (1925) to Lewis Milestone's THE GARDEN OF EDEN (1928) with Corinne Griffith being well-known examples. The sound era was no different, with films such as Busby Berkeley's 42ND STREET (1933), FOOTLIGHT PARADE (1933), and countless others aiming a spotlight on a showgirl lead character. The movie closest in the time period of THE GRASSHOPPER's release was George Stevens' THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN (1970), which dealt with a showgirl and her romantic entanglement with a piano-playing gambler in Las Vegas. THE GRASSHOPPER was less romantic, and more explicit in its sexual content than THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN, and the older films, and, with a much more promiscuous outlook than the latter film. THE GRASSHOPPER also looked toward Paul Verhoeven's 1995 movie SHOWGIRLS which was significantly more graphic in its depiction of sexuality but also, its violent content.

Overview: Director Jerry Paris made nine films in his career, the vast majority being comedies, or films with nonsensical themes. His first feature film, DON'T RAISE THE BRIDGE, LOWER THE RIVER (1968) was a movie with Jerry Lewis, and his last being parts two and three of the POLICE ACADEMY franchise in 1985 and 1986 respectively. THE GRASSHOPPER was released between these films in 1970, his fifth feature film, and one of two he made in the 1970s. While the film is a drama, and shares campy elements from his other movies, unfortunately, THE GRASSHOPPER is not a well-balanced film. The action occurs too quickly, and many of the transitions are unrealistic, and abrupt.

When we first meet main protagonist Christine she seems demure and unassuming, the opposite to how she ends up in the film. Soon Christine is a hard-nosed showgirl, sleeping with a variety of men, the viewer needing a scoreboard with which to keep up with these liaisons. The character shuttles from situation to situation, and from man to man, but there are no emotional hooks present to make the viewer feel for her predicament. These are all handled in a glamorous, slick manner, the visuals always more striking than the story, which leaves the viewer dissatisfied, and cold. A visually stunning but apathetic movie, THE GRASSHOPPER was an interesting attempt at making a movie for the 'now' of its time, and a morality play of sorts, but without heart.

Acting: The acting in the film is of a good standard, with some excellent performances standing out. Lead actress Jacqueline Bisset does a sound job in the movie, but is not entirely convincing in her rendition of a young woman corrupted by life as a Las Vegas showgirl. Her Christine seems too strong, too assured as a person who would be swayed by people, used and abused. Miss Bisset's innate self-confidence and headstrong nature seems at odds with her character. In addition to this, she is not allowed to express emotion at events which have transpired to her, which renders the character more internalised, and bloodless. This also brings forth an unemotional ring to the movie which undercuts the severity of the happenings to no end. Despite this, the supporting characters greatly breathe life into the film.

Joseph Cotten brings grandeur and class to his role as one of the many men who succumb to Christine's charm, but with a touch of classic Hollywood that enchants and charms to no end. Jim Brown, on the other hand, does exceedingly well as the one man Christine loves, marries and loses, bringing his characteristic virility, and appeal to the role. The most striking male performance in the movie, though, is by Christopher Stone as a gigolo who entices Christine into prostitution. From Mr Stone's first appearance in THE GRASSHOPPER in the shower scene with Christine, he brings an unmistakable sensuality, danger, and urgency to his scenes that rings true.

Soundtrack: Most notably the theme song 'Look Again' sung by The Brooklyn Bridge is played at both the beginning and conclusion of the film, with variations through the remainder of the movie. It adds a thoughtful late 1960s/early 1970s touch to the film, and is a suitable musical accompaniment to THE GRASSHOPPER.

Mise-en-scene: The Las Vegas set pieces are spectacular to witness, filled with colour, and akin to something from Hollywood musicals from the 1930s, 1940s or 1950s, but with more revealing costumes than would have appeared in movies from these eras. The costuming for Miss Bisset is appropriate to where she is on screen, from the start when she is in Canada, her showgirl outfits, to more elegant clothing with Joseph Cotten. The settings in the film, in general, are of a high standard, accurately presenting where the main character is in a certain point in time. From the cozy family home in which Christine is first seen, to the Las Vegas theatre rooms, elegant hotel rooms, to the tenement she shares with the gigolo, the mise-en-scene in THE GRASSHOPPER is one of its best aspects.

Award-worthy performances in my opinion: Christopher Stone, Joseph Cotten, Jim Brown.

Suitability for young viewers: No. Infrequent coarse language, brief male and female nudity, adult themes, low-level violence.

Overall Grade: D

Link: IMDB Page

Trailer