This is an astonishingly good movie. I had read the book at the time of its publication and thought it would make a play in the "Mr. Roberts" genre. I had not considered it as a movie, in the 50's I. don't think it could have been.
Bang the Drum Slowly is set in the world of baseball but it is not a baseball movie. However, I don't think it would have worked in today's free-agency baseball world. The characters here are all tightly tied to one club. That is the only tie they have to each other until the events of the plot unfold. One of its marginal players is terminally ill, but still functional. His roommate, a star pitcher, has the clout and the heart to make the team retain him, while not revealing why it is important to him. Much of the humor in the movies evolves from the attempts of the team's coach to find out his motive.
Robert DiNiro plays the dying catcher. He is dumb and innocent and takes everything at face value. The key line, which he delivers is "I guess everybody would be nice to everybody if they knew they were dying." That's what this movie is about. There is a great musical score, a dramatic peak in the use of the title song, and great editing. Michael Moriarty in the lead has the best role he was ever given and suits it perfectly. Robert DeNiro underplays the dying catcher to perfection and Vincent Gardenia, as the coach, plays a pretty stock role just as required.
There is nothing to criticize about Bang The Drum Slowly. It's simply wonderful. And somehow, unnoticed.
Bang the Drum Slowly is set in the world of baseball but it is not a baseball movie. However, I don't think it would have worked in today's free-agency baseball world. The characters here are all tightly tied to one club. That is the only tie they have to each other until the events of the plot unfold. One of its marginal players is terminally ill, but still functional. His roommate, a star pitcher, has the clout and the heart to make the team retain him, while not revealing why it is important to him. Much of the humor in the movies evolves from the attempts of the team's coach to find out his motive.
Robert DiNiro plays the dying catcher. He is dumb and innocent and takes everything at face value. The key line, which he delivers is "I guess everybody would be nice to everybody if they knew they were dying." That's what this movie is about. There is a great musical score, a dramatic peak in the use of the title song, and great editing. Michael Moriarty in the lead has the best role he was ever given and suits it perfectly. Robert DeNiro underplays the dying catcher to perfection and Vincent Gardenia, as the coach, plays a pretty stock role just as required.
There is nothing to criticize about Bang The Drum Slowly. It's simply wonderful. And somehow, unnoticed.