The Last Detail Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two sailors escort a newbie to jail but decide to give him a crash course in manhood involving beer, brawls, and brothels, which probably violates like, every Navy rule ever.

🍿 The Last Detail: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Assignment

Two Navy lifers, Signalman First Class Billy ‘Badass’ Buddusky and Gunner’s Mate First Class ‘Mule’ Mulhall, are assigned a ‘chicken-shit detail’: escorting a young seaman, Larry Meadows, to Portsmouth Naval Prison. Meadows is sentenced to eight years for attempting to steal $40 from a charity box, an unusually harsh sentence. Buddusky and Mulhall initially see it as a paid vacation.

A Change of Heart

As they travel, Buddusky and Mulhall learn about Meadows’ petty crime and his naive nature. They begin to sympathize with his situation, realizing the sentence far exceeds the severity of the offense. Buddusky decides to give Meadows a ‘last good time’ before imprisonment, aiming to teach him about life and assert himself.

Rights of Passage

Buddusky takes Meadows through a series of experiences: teaching him to drink, initiating a bar fight, and arranging a sexual encounter with a prostitute. Mule, initially concerned about authority, gradually participates. These experiences aim to instill confidence and a sense of manhood in Meadows before he enters prison.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Buddusky (Jack Nicholson): A bawdy and charismatic Navy lifer assigned to escort a prisoner, who decides to show him a good time before his incarceration.
• Meadows (Randy Quaid): A naive and petty young thief sentenced to a harsh prison term, who is shown the ropes of adulthood by his escorts.
• Mulhall (Otis Young): Buddusky’s more grounded and cautious fellow Navy lifer, who initially resists but eventually joins in on showing Meadows a good time.
• M.A.A. (Clifton James): The Master-at-Arms assigns Buddusky and Mulhall to escort Meadows, setting the plot in motion.
• Young Whore (Carol Kane): A prostitute who is tender and kind with Meadows.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Buddusky: “I am the motherfucking Shore Patrol!” – Buddusky shouts this in a bar when the bartender refuses to serve Meadows, asserting his authority in a vulgar way.
• Buddusky: “No Navy’s gonna give some poor dumb kid eight years in the brig without me takin’ him out for the time of his life.” – Buddusky says this when explaining his decision to show Meadows a good time before his imprisonment, revealing his sympathy.
• Buddusky: “If this guy gets pussy out of this, I’m gonna eat my fucking flat hat, man.” – Buddusky expresses his disbelief that Meadows will have any success with women.
• Meadows: “Hey, you guys? Drop your socks and grab your cocks. We’re going to a party.” – Meadows, after meeting a young woman, returns to Buddusky and Mulhall using crude language to announce they have been invited to a party.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.3M
• Domestic Gross: $10M
• Worldwide Gross: $10M

💥 The Last Detail Reviews

Personal Review

I was blown away by how real ‘The Last Detail’ felt. Jack Nicholson’s performance is legendary, and you truly believe he’s a grizzled Navy lifer. The scenes where they’re trying to give Meadows a good time before prison are both hilarious and sad. I especially loved the part where they try to have a picnic in the freezing cold; it’s so relatable! It made me think about the struggles people face and how friendship can make it all a little bit easier.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Jack Nicholson”
  • “Viewers interested in 1970s character-driven dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate films exploring social issues and moral ambiguity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Substance use”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Nicholson delivers a career-defining performance in this gritty road trip. Ashby’s direction and Towne’s script create a memorable portrait of disillusionment and camaraderie amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam era.
• The New York Times: “A cynical yet compassionate look at military life, ‘The Last Detail’ avoids easy sentimentality. The film’s strength lies in its realistic characters and exploration of duty vs. empathy.
• RogerEbert.com: “A masterpiece of character study, Nicholson, Quaid, and Young deliver unforgettable performances. Ashby’s understated direction allows the human drama to unfold naturally, making it both humorous and heartbreaking.

Audience Reactions

The raw, unfiltered portrayal of enlisted Navy life is both hilarious and deeply moving.: Viewers praise the film’s authenticity, gritty realism, and the superb performances of the lead actors.

Nicholson’s ‘Badass’ Buddusky is iconic, showcasing a complex mix of cynicism and compassion.: The characters are well-developed, relatable, and the chemistry between the actors is fantastic.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Last Detail’ is a highly acclaimed drama celebrated for its realistic characters, strong performances, and its insightful portrayal of friendship and disillusionment in the military.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Best Actor)- 1974

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The script was completed in 1970, but Columbia Pictures waited two years to film it due to concerns over the extensive profanity. Ultimately, the studio decided to proceed without changes as standards for language in film relaxed.”
• “Gilda Radner has a small, early role as a Nichiren Shoshu Member.”
• “Cinematographer Michael Chapman, known for his work on ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘Raging Bull’, also makes a cameo appearance as a taxi driver.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Last Detail?

The Last Detail is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability. Streaming options may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Last Detail, you might like these similar films:

• Midnight Cowboy (1969): Features a similar buddy road trip dynamic with two unlikely companions navigating the seedier side of urban life.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975): Also starring Jack Nicholson, it shares themes of rebellion against authority and the treatment of individuals within a system.
• Bad Boys (1983): The journey to reform a wayward youth within a harsh system
• 25th Hour (2002): Presents a character’s last day of freedom before imprisonment, focusing on reflection and choices.

🛒 The Last Detail Related Products

• The Last Detail (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A pristine, remastered edition of the film, offering enhanced picture and sound quality, plus exclusive bonus content such as interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Jack Nicholson: The Early Years (DVD): This DVD set contains ‘The Last Detail’ and other early films starring Jack Nicholson, showcasing his incredible range and talent from the beginning of his career.
• US Navy Baseball Cap: Show off your love for the Navy with an authentic US Navy baseball cap. Perfect for casual wear or as a collectible item.
• The Last Detail Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original theatrical poster, perfect for framing and displaying your appreciation for this classic film.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Last Detail features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Never Let The Left Hand Know” – performed by Jack Goga

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Ever wonder what Jack Nicholson is *really* like? Michael Douglas shares a hilarious and insightful story about him during the filming of “Cuckoo’s Nest” (another Nicholson classic!). You HAVE to hear this!

1982: JACK NICHOLSON on declining THE GODFATHER lead role

Imagine Jack Nicholson as Michael Corleone? In this rare interview, Nicholson reveals why he turned down ‘The Godfather’! It’s crazy to think about how different things could have been, and totally worth a watch.

10 1970s Movies EVERYONE Needs to See! (You’ll Be SHOCKED!)

Looking for more gems from the 70s like “The Last Detail”? This video highlights ten must-see films from the decade. You might just find your next favorite movie—I know I did!

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