Introduction"The Survivors" is a 1983 American funny film directed by Michael Ritchie and written by Michael Leeson. The movie features Walter Matthau and Robin Williams in lead functions and stars Jerry Reed, Kristen Vigard and James Wainwright in supporting roles. Embed in the background of a severe New York winter season, the film is an amusing take on survivalism and American masculinity, blending elements of social satire and funny with a thriller's paced storyline.
Plot SummaryThe film begins with Donald Quinelle (Robin Williams), a business executive, and Sonny Paluso (Walter Matthau), a gasoline station owner, being laid off from their respective jobs. A random meeting at a restaurant develops a not likely friendship between the 2 guys. However, their lives take a dramatic turn when they become witnesses to a shooting incident including an expert lawbreaker, Jack Locke (Jerry Reed).
Following the incident, the ineptitude of law enforcement prompts Donald to embrace a new lifestyle as a survivalist. He purchases a greatly strengthened forest cabin in Vermont, fascinated with survival skills and readiness scenarios for possible future threats. Sonny, on the other hand, remains skeptical and critical of Donald's sudden obsession with survivalism.
Dispute and ClimaxA recurring theme throughout the film is the clash of ideologies in between Donald's anxious survivalism and Sonny's useful knowledge and cynicism. Locke, out on bail and identified to eliminate the witnesses to his criminal activity, tracks down the duo to the wilderness of Vermont.
An ensuing fight takes place with Donald and Sonny leveraging their collective wit and freshly gotten survival abilities to outmaneuver Locke. Donald's frenzied preparation for survival comes in handy and the duo ultimately control Locke. Returning to New York, their experience results in a not likely service partnership - a survivalist school for city residents.
Analysis"The Survivors" portrays the concept of survivalism in the face of city fear and insecurities in a comical light. The movie offers an attractive expedition of the anxieties of 2 typical men and their contrasting reactions to the hazardous truths of their world. Through the negative and grounded Sonny, the film critiques Donald's course of survivalism, recommending it more a manifestation of fear instead of empowerment. However, it does acknowledge that even seemingly unreasonable survival skills can have their usages in unpredicted hazards.
Conclusion"The Survivors" provides a funny phenomenon of two males's journey from joblessness to unwitting heroism. It spoofs the supposed 'security' of survivalism in the context of societal fear, using both broad comedy and observational humor to mock the idea of the contemporary male feeling the need to 'endure.' The dynamic pairing of Walter Matthau and Robin Williams brings the film, their contrasting efficiencies supply humor and depth to their characters' misadventures. In spite of its periodic descent into farce and absurdity, "The Survivors" remains an entertaining commentary on American masculinity, fear, and survivalism.
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