BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR
Alda has been in TONS of great movies, shows, and projects. He has a body of work that I’d hold up against 99% of anyone who has ever been on screen. I’m sure this list would be different for anyone and all would be valid. Alda is amazing like that. I go with this movie because it’s just a really good movie. For years I was told about it so much that I felt like I saw it. A while ago I finally caught it and ended up watching it two times. With Ellen Burstyn, he displayed a great love story. Both of them got married and had their own lives, but every year they’d meet up for a weekend fling. They grew up, reformed, deformed, and experienced life. It was interesting to see them check in from time to time. The time frame was from the early 50’s all the way up to the 70’s. A lot was going on in the world at that time and the movie reflected that in a really passionate love story. See this movie.
(THREE) CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS
I love Woody Allen movies. This is my favorite Woody Allen movie not named “Annie Hall”. The two main stories are really good, but in the middle of all of this is the Alan Alda. He’s a jerk. That’s the nicest way to say it. He is a pretentious producer who hires Woody’s character to make a documentary celebrating his life. He’s an asshole for sure. The best part of the whole thing is the line that I quote way too much, “If it bends its funny… if it breaks its tragic”. It’s a really great movie and a really underappreciated role.
(TWO) WEST WING
He was only around for two seasons, but he was pretty damn awesome. He played the republican candidate on the show who went up against Jimmy Smits. He was stubborn, but slowly and surely unraveled and interesting character. He wasn’t right for the job as fictitious president, but he was one helluva candidate. They say you’re only as good as your competition. I don’t know who else could have made Smit’s “Matt Santos” character as strong. Alda’s work as “Arnold Vinick” had me party jumping. And don’t get me started on the LIVE episode where Smits and Alda had a live debate. It was great television.
(ONE) M*A*S*H
Speaking of “great television”… do I need to even really talk about this? Mash is one of the best television shows of all time. It had great stories, great characters, and great everything. The anchor of all of this greatness? Alan Alda. His “Hawkeye” character was one of the coolest characters ever. If you’ve not watched MASH I don’t believe you. If you’ve not watched and LOVED MASH I don’t believe you. MASH forever!
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