The Last Detail

Name: The Last Detail
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: December 12, 1973
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 86
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid

1973

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Ratings

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The Last Detail

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: December 12, 1973 | R

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid

Summary: Two Navy men are ordered to bring a young offender to prison but decide to show him one last good time along the way.

Director: Hal Ashby

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 104 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Keith Uhlich

There’s a once-in-a-lifetime feeling to the trio’s every interaction—not only as characters but as performers—that makes the film’s casually tragic climax that much more devastating. Read full review

100

Staff (Not Credited)

The Last Detail is a salty, bawdy, hilarious and very touching story about two career sailors escorting to a naval prison a dumb boot sentenced for petty thievery. Jack Nicholson is outstanding at the head of a superb cast. Read full review

Vincent Canby

The Last Detail is one superbly funny, uproariously intelligent performance, plus two others that are very, very good, which are so effectively surrounded by profound bleakness that it seems to be a new kind of anti-comedy. You'll laugh at it, not through your tears but with a sense of creeping misery. Read full review

Anton Bitel

Notorious in its time for its copious profanity, Robert Towne’s screenplay now seems far less shocking. But its naturalism, embodied by a very fine cast, still rings true. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

The Last Detail is a gritty look at the military life and the people who are attracted to it. It is dark in its message and gray to the eye. Locations are all washed out as though there were a thin membrane of filth spread across everything except the leads, who pop out colorfully like three strawberries in a bowl of Cream of Wheat. Read full review

Don Druker

A tough-talking, sparely directed effort by Hal Ashby, with an immaculate performance by Jack Nicholson as the arrogant and salty (but feeling) sailor who tries to stay in charge of the odyssey, and almost doesn't. Read full review

Geoff Andrew

Despite Robert Towne's often sharp script - about two veteran sailors detailed to escort a young and naïve rating to prison, and showing him a sordidly 'good time' en route - and despite strong performances all round, one can't help feeling that the criticism of modern America hits out at all too easy targets in a vague and muffled manner. Read full review

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User Reviews

Steven1981

Apr 14, 2020

I've heard of The Last Detail for a while but never saw it until 2020 when I watched it online which is odd since it's been out since 1973... Having just watched it on 14 April 2020 I will tell you what I think of the film because to be honest I wasn't sure what I was about to see becauseI've heard of The Last Detail for a while but never saw it until 2020 when I watched it online which is odd since it's been out since 1973... Having just watched it on 14 April 2020 I will tell you what I think of the film because to be honest I wasn't sure what I was about to see because no disrespect to Jack Nicholson because he's a great actor and done classic films which I like such as Chinatown, Batman, Five Easy Pieces, The Shining, The Passenger, Blood and Wine, A Few Good Men and many others which I like however some of his films like Mars Attacks I hate with a passion. However overall a big percentage of his films I like and he's a great actor but anyway The Last Detail was directed by Hal Ashby in 1973 and as far as I remember the story is about two guys in the navy who must escort somebody to prison but they give the dude who they must take to prison the time of his life first by feeding him, giving him beers in a hotel room and all that and I like Jack Nicholson's performance and Randy Quaids and it's better than I thought it would be having never seen it and being curious. It's a simple story, nothing spectacular and not much happens apart from the story I mentioned and obviously the prisoner trying to escape but it's never boring and uses basically zero violence. Overall a great film and Jack Nicholson puffing on a cigar.… Expand

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amheretojudge

Dec 6, 2018

The Last Detail is a big pack of gusto, amiable in terms of sanity and insanity, this pack has Nicholson as the leader and there are no regrets.

The Last Detail Ashby is easy to work with and amidst all the hokums he aspires to pull off, the reasoning for us to involve in it tend to loseThe Last Detail is a big pack of gusto, amiable in terms of sanity and insanity, this pack has Nicholson as the leader and there are no regrets.

The Last Detail

Ashby is easy to work with and amidst all the hokums he aspires to pull off, the reasoning for us to involve in it tend to lose its grip every now and then. From the first frame, the concept kicks off with a ferocious pace that you feel like you are having a time of your life. But this euphoric energy is toned down by the semantics of the structure. After a certain point for a brief period, it leans towards mediocrity especially before the last act hits. The chemistry among the cast is palpable to the tone, a bit pasty but a protective caring nature that soothes the nature, no matter how raunchy and chaotic it grows.

The methods that is adapted to reach its final goal is much more mesmerizing than the final kick itself. And these tiny rich notions is what fuels this brotherhood, from demanding the melted cheese to the interference in love interest, the writers have managed to draw out the real essence of a partner, out of this eerie tale. Nicholson on the lead is brilliant in his portrayal of a sassy and bold character that is provocative and three dimensional. But Quaid as the learner and the victim of this show, steals the spotlight not just because of his performance but his incredibly likeable character that is both flawed and sensitive.

The storytelling is adaptive and gripping even though not compelling, the route takes a longer detour that shucks away the earned momentum and lower the bar for a brief period as mentioned before. But with a sensational heartwarming last act, the feature lands on accurately where it started off from. The Last Detail is a big pack of gusto, amiable in terms of sanity and insanity, this pack has Nicholson as the leader and there are no regrets.… Expand

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