We've just been all wet as of late here in The Underworld...! Lots of things going on including a pretty serious surgery and follow-up for a family member and that has eaten up much of my time. But, apart from that, our May here has been nothing but cold and rain! So taking my cue from Mother Nature, I give you one more tardy April shower post. This one is from the lesser-known (but actually quite compelling) Dustin Hoffman film
Straight Time (1978.) A pet project of his that he initially intended to direct as well as star in, he plays an ex-con who runs into significant trouble trying to acclimate to life on the outside. (He's not helped by an aggressively accusatory parole officer, splendidly played by M. Emmet Walsh.) I've recently been catching some Hoffman movies that previously eluded me (including
Marathon Man, 1976) and have been surprised at how much I've enjoyed them. Straight Time has several strong supporting performances from people such as Walsh, Gary Busey, Harry Dean Stanton, Theresa Russell and even an early role for Miss Kathy Bates.
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Having been paroled and trying to make a go of it, Hoffman is suspected of a violation and is sent to the country jail, pending some lab results.
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A large gaggle of new inmates is thoroughly searched, then stripped down in order to shower, prior to being sent to their cells.
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The camera pans across the newbies as they're briskly washed up.
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Following this, their each handed a towel and lined up for disinfection.
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It is here that we find Hoffman, next in line to be hosed down with the spray.
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The sequence breezes by quickly, but keen-eyed viewers will be able to tell that the actor wasn't wearing any sort of modesty panel or the like...
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I can recommend this movie for reasons apart from this shower scene, including the wild comeuppance that parole officer Walsh receives. I hope to be back soon with more musings. Till next time!
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