Movie Review:
Popeye 1980

MOVIE REVIEW: POPEYE (1980)

TITLE: Popeye

RELEASE DATE: December 6, 1980

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SUMMARY

Popeye is a live-action musical-comedy adaptation of the iconic comic strip character created by E.C. Segar. Directed by Robert Altman, the film features the rough-and-tumble sailor Popeye, played by Robin Williams, who arrives in the seaside town of Sweethaven and falls in love with the feisty Olive Oyl, portrayed by Shelley Duvall. The film narrates Popeye's search for his long-lost father, dealing with the villainous Bluto, and discovering an abandoned baby, whom he names Sweet Pea. Amid a lot of adventures and comic capers, Popeye showcases the characters' loyalty, courage, and unique strengths.

THE SOCIAL COMMENTARY IN THE FILM

Robert Altman (director) and Jules Feiffer (screenwriter) are known for their iconic satirical style. This film is no exception to that, using humor and absurdity to comment on various aspects of society, including the exploitation and oppression of the poor by the rich and powerful, as well as corruption and hypocrisy. It explores the importance (and difficulty) of finding one’s identity. Both Popeye and Olive struggle with their expected roles in society and are only happy when building their own roles with one another.

WHAT I LOVED

I have a hard time with this movie as the first half bored the hell out of me, but after the one-hour mark, I was fully in and loving it.

I think the casting is wonderful. The acting was fantastic (for what they were doing). Everyone brought the ridiculousness of their characters to life and made the comic work on the big screen in the same crazy way it works on paper. The sets were amazing (more on that below). I can’t imagine anyone else playing Popeye and pulling it off the same way. So many times Popeye is pretty unlikeable but he never loses the balance. This is one of the hallmarks of so many of Robin’s performances – imbuing that absolute humanity and flawed personality into characters.

WHAT I DIDN’T

The pacing was wonky for me, especially in the first half. I understand we had to get a feel for the world, but I was so bored multiple times. That’s really about it.

OTHER THOUGHTS

This is my first film as I begin my trek through all fifty-nine of Robin Williams’s movies in order. It was an odd start. I feel like it’s good it came out when it did. A role like this that’s so off-balance in so many ways might have ended the career of a lesser actor before it took off.

At the same time, I don’t think it’s a bad movie at all, particularly if you know what you’re getting into before you begin. I bet if I’d seen this as a pre-teen I would’ve adored it.

FUNNIEST PART TO ME

I love the first reveal of the portrait of his father in the frame. Then it’s even better when we find out what’s in the treasure chest and get a callback to this moment.