LEONARD PART V1
US, 1987, 81 minutes, Colour.
Bill Cosby, Tom Courtney, Gloria Foster, Joe Don Baker, Moses Gunn.
Directed by Paul Welland.
Leonard Part VI was one of the most spectacular box-office failures of 1987. It was produced with a story by Bill Cosby, designed as a vehicle for this most popular star. Commentators suggested that, instead of trying to imitate James Bond, he should has stayed within the family which had made him a household word. The humour is flat, the film pales in comparison with James Bond - The Living Daylights was released at the same time.
There is a touch of humour insofar as Leonard Part VI is the 6th. in a series and the other adventures were classified for national security. One reviewer noted that there would not be clamour for them under any Freedom of Information act. Cosby has a pleasant screen appearance but appears somewhat egotistical in this role. Tom Courtney comes off best as his very English butler who tells the story but, again, commentators noted the comparison with John Gielgud's butler in Arthur. There is a lively villainess, some good special effects. The film runs for only 85 minutes but was originally longer and several incidents (including his wife's boyfriend) appear in the film's trailer but not in the actual film.
1. How entertaining a film? Its ambitions? its achievement? The work of Bill Cosby, writer, producer, star?
2. An expensive film - elaborate special effects, stunts? The musical score? Editing and pace?
3. The title and the focus on Leonard? His work for American security? The other parts?
4. The focus on Leonard, his work in the CIA, his retirement, his family situation, his wife leaving him, his daughter and her involvement with the producer, going to see the play? The strange killings and the animals? The group hiring him again? The collage of his training (even Jane Fonda talking to him from an aerobics video)? His going into action, his skills, his being helped by the butler? The chasing of Medusa, the kidnapping of his family? The ordeals gone through? The defeat of Medusa? Achieving his mission? A credible James Bond-style hero?
5. Medusa as villain, her entourage, headquarters, using animals to kill enemies? Her capturing the family, confrontation with Leonard? Her defeat? A lively and imaginative villain?
6. The butler, his English style, his narrative, his service of Leonard, his ability to help and remedy situations? Attentiveness? His perspective on the action?
7. Leonard's wife, the separation, the reasons, his tyring to reconcile With her, the meal and the food over his head, her disregard, the capture? The daughter and her ambitions, her reaction against Leonard, the producer and his age, relationship, his style of play, talk? Leonard going to the play and his being shocked? The daughter's capture? Interesting family?
8. The American authorities, their reliance on Leonard, their persuading his to go on mission again?
9. The opening with the resume of Leonard's exploits and the ironic humour of his success, the James Bond spectaculars, the mystery and bizarre nature of the killings?
10. Audience familiarity with secret agents, saving the world, special effects and stunts? Comparisons with other films of its kind, especially the Bond films?
