Pictured above is my humble tribute to one of the greatest motion pictures ever made, "Jaws".
The timeless, classy menace on display here has never waned...it's as relentlessly entertaining now as it was the day it was released. It's legendarily troubled production history (documented superbly in "The Shark is still Working", available on the BluRay release) did not diminish it's impact or legacy one jot.
Graced with three of the finest acting performances ever to fill the silver screen. The triumvirate of Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and the impish Richard Dreyfuss, create a believable chemistry amid the mayhem. Their studied, pin sharp performances leap from the screen and command one's attention, especially in the quieter passages.
As an entity, "Jaws" grabs it's audience by the throat and, by turns, throttles and beguiles them into believing every step of this monumental odyssey. Even when the, patently fake, shark does appear...we're still chilled to the bone, such is the mastery of Spielberg's craft. That he was not even nominated as Best Director at the 48th Academy Awards is a travesty of the highest order.
"Jaws" is a testament to art of old Hollywood...striving to tell a great story no matter what the odds. An art that has been subsumed, in recent years, in favour of brainless bombast that numbs the senses and confounds the emotions.
That it was made at all is a miracle, that it was made so well...ah, that's Mr Spielberg folks!
Excelsior Out!
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