The Last Detail (1973)

It’s a shame that The Last Detail isn’t a better known film, it’s terrific! Released in 1973 and based on the book of the same name, the film is directed by Hal Ashby and stars Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, Randy Quaid, and features several then-unknown actors such as Nancy Allen, Carol Kane, Michael Moriarty, and Gilda Radner. The film begins with a young man in the Navy looking for another man, Signalman Buddusky (Nicholson), in the Norfolk Naval Base. When he finds Buddusky, he tells him that the M.A.A. (Clifton James) wants to see him. Buddusky is lying on a chair and tells the young man to tell the M.A.A. to go fuck himself. This is only the start to the profanity-riddled film, rare for its time. Buddusky and another Petty Officer, Mulhall (Young), both of them Navy Lifers that are awaiting orders for their next sea assignment, are assigned a shore patrol detail. Their assignment consists of transporting a young Seaman, Larry Meadows (Quaid), to the Portsmouth Naval Prison in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. At first, the two men resent the assignment and want to get it done as quickly as possible. However, the two men feel sympathy for Meadows, as he has been sentenced to eight years for stealing $40 from a charity box that happened to be run by his commanding officer’s wife. The two tough men decide to show the young, soon-to-be prisoner the time of his life before they arrive at the brig. They give him alcohol, go to a party, beat up a few marines, and even hook him up to give him his first sexual experience. As the men begin to trust Meadows more, will Meadows use that trust to his advantage to avoid going to the brig? The film isn’t too memorable, but it’s very enjoyable to watch and has enough comedic and dramatic moments to keep you engaged. The film gave both Nicholson and Quaid Academy Award Nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. The film is very entertaining and absolutely worth watching for Nicholson fans and anyone, really. I rate this film GREAT on the scale.