70 From The 70’s Part II: #51

Hal Ashby’s ‘The Landlord’ (1970) is one smart and tender work of cinema that breaks through into the 1970’s with a purpose. This entire film focuses on the discussion of race and how it affects both sides in different ways. This movie has some real heart, and it really takes things down to a straight forward level. Strangely enough, I think the director, Hal Ashby wanted this to work as a comedy and a drama together, and while there are moments you might chuckle to, I assure you, this is no comedy. Once the film ends, you can find yourself feeling many different emotions, but I assure you, you aren’t going to be thinking this was a laugh riot. 

Hal Ashby really took on the comedic film scene in the 1970’s, and he started with ‘The Landlord’ (1970). Ashby is a director I don’t think most would go to first when saying someone with a specific tone to their films. Yet when you string together his works, it’s clear he has an absolute vision of what cinema is. Ashby is not the loudest director, and he’s not the most showboating, but he is very specific, and his craft of story is remarkably humble. ‘The Landlord’ (1970) would be his first film he made, and through the next ten years, he would make seven movies that really stand the test of time. Hal Ashby does not need to be the craziest voice on stage, because he knowns how to make it all happen behind stage. 

‘The Landlord’ (1970) was released only six years after the civil rights were published, and the film wanted to truly express the struggle that was still going on. The view point this film takes place with is Elgar, a white man who attempts to evict some black tenets from a building he just bought. The move is daring to take the point of view of Elgar, but as the film goes on, we see what the reason is. The film never degrades or shames anyone, and though it views both sides, it takes a hard fight for Justice with Elgar and those who he meets. This film really tackles some important ideas, and it carries through even today as a caring message. 

From looking at the cover of this film, I thought I was going to be going into a raunchy sex comedy. Once sitting down for only a few minutes with the film, I realized pretty quickly that was the furthest thing from what this was. The movie is respectful and tender when it comes to all relationships, and the style of sex comedy I was thinking this would be was no where to be found. The movie had much more to say about society than it did about the bedroom. Though there is a view into what happens behind the bedroom door with this couple, it isn’t in a disruptive way. Some comedy is sprinkled throughout the film, especially at the expense of Elgar’s family, but when you really look at it, this is a social drama first, and a soft comedy second. 

Hal Ashby really sprung onto the scene with this early 1970’s classic. This movie is important just as much as it is interesting to view. The commentary that is spread throughout, in many different ways, opens a door for reflection on the film and the audience. ‘The Landlord’ (1970) was definitely better than I had expected, and the push it makes to prove certain points really nails home the idea of what this was all for. This is definitely worth a watch, and now that it has a beautiful Kino release, there is no excuse.