(1972)
1.5
Jason Buchanan
As relevant now as when it was released in 1972, director Larry Cohen's satirical take on race relations still seems years ahead of its time when viewed today. It's easy to see why a film like Bone struck such a sensitive chord, and though the film would eventually receive distribution under the title Housewife (accompanied by an cheap exploitational advertising campaign), it's likely that the DVD release from Blue Underground is the first time the film has seen the light of day in many parts of the world. Bone is indeed a difficult film, and many may find a satirical black comedy that takes on one of the most sensitive issues in American social history a difficult pill to swallow. Despite its confrontational nature, such blatant social commentary in film remains a rare feat in cinema, and Cohen's masterful handling of the material has rarely been matched in the 30-plus-years since the film's release. Though performances are solid across the board, Yaphet Kotto's turn as the volatile eponymous character is unforgettable; he effortlessly epitomizes white America's fear of the black man in a virtually flawless performance. The vacant and fearful existence of the plastic white upper crust is likewise personified to mannequin-like detail by Andrew Duggan, who sugarcoats his painful existence with spiteful lies and selfish betrayal of those closest to him. His icy revelation regarding his devotion to his family in contrast to his lifelong dedication to turning a profit confirms the gravest fears of capitalist excess. Likewise, Joyce Van Patten's delusional, self-absorbed denouement rings horrifyingly true in an age where the black man often serves as a generic scapegoat for horrific crimes committed by white suburban soccer moms.
Bone on AllMovie
Bone (1972)
