The death of Robert Blakeone of those Imposing actors with several great works to their credit. Among them, the popular series ‘Baretta‘, where he gave life to a detective little friend of the rules and for which he was nominated several times for his interpretation. He is also a controversial figure for the accusation that he murdered Bonny Lee Bakley, his second wife, in 2001.
In the criminal trial, he was found not guilty by the jury, but months later he was found responsible in a civil trial that ordered him to pay 30 million dollars to Bakley’s four children. A very cloudy aspect that tarnishes a legacy with extraordinary films, like the three that we are highlighting today and can be retrieved via streaming.
‘In cold blood’ (‘In Cold Blood’, 1967)
Address:Richard Brooks. Distribution: Robert Blake, Scott Wilson, John Forsythe, Paul Stewart, Jeff Corey.
Knowing about the trial, it’s hard not to cringe at his portrayal of a murderer in this formidable adaptation of Truman Capote’s true crime play. Although, to be fair, his work is already impressive, because Blake explores to the last consequences a disturbing real character with which to say that you get goosebumps is an understatement.
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Richard Brooks’s film is essential for the cinema of psychopaths, also of the true crime that is so popular, although it does not seem that they have learned the correct lessons. His cold and conscientious style breaks down the barriers between fiction and reality. Technically flawless, and perfect in its way of intertwining thriller and terror psychological.
See in Filmin | Criticism in Espinof
‘Dirty hands in the city’ (‘Busting’, 1974)
Address: Peter Hyams. Distribution: Elliott Gould, Robert Blake, Allen Garfield, Antonio Fargas.
Two Los Angeles cops ignore their superiors and the rules to hunt down a dangerous mob boss, trying to prove they’re worth more than just shit (it doesn’t turn out so well). Interesting precursor to Blake’s role in ‘Baretta’, but with a comic twist and a perfect partnership with a splendid Elliott Gould.
Here Peter Hyams debuts, one of those great cult directors who has managed to deliver films between the solid and the great without being sufficiently recognized. He begins with a fabulous buddy movie before raising the level with ‘Aim, Shoot and Run’, although here he already points out ways with a magnificently carried tone and remarkable realization at the action level.
See in Filmin | The best action movies ever
‘Lost Highway’ (‘Lost Highway’, 1997)
Address: David Lynch. Distribution: Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, Balthazar Getty, Robert Blake, Robert Loggia.
Blake’s latest film is quite different, as it couldn’t be otherwise with the director he works with, but it does connect in a chilling way with his disturbed character in ‘In Cold Blood’. The mysterious character of him is one of the biggest and most exciting enigmas from one of David Lynch’s most abstract and challenging films.
In fact, maybe that’s why the best of his filmography. It’s not just that I get a great performance from Blake to generate a terrifying tension, but everything is perfectly directed to create a phenomenal abstraction that the protagonist gets into in order not to face reality. Lynch at full power with a perfect way to experiment with image and sound to create an overwhelming experience.
See on Filmin and on Movistar+ | Criticism in Espinof