Theme Song:
“From Day One” by Richie Havens. Late ‘70s era Havens that’s pretty smooth, but unremarkable.
“Why Don’t You Walk Away,” also by Havens. This one, on the other hand, is all soulful goodness. It doesn’t look like a soundtrack was ever released and neither of these songs appear on any Havens collections.
Interesting Dated References: Ordering a Monte Cristo “no powdered sugar, no ham,” which I think is technically just a grilled cheese.
Best Line: None
Social Context: The Boss’ Son is the first feature from writer/director Bobby Roth, who also wrote and directed the incredible Heartbreakers, a favorite here at The Betamax Rundown, as well as Circle of Power, which is also awesome.
Summary: Carpet magnate Joe Rose, who has a terrible head full of white hair powder, decides it’s time for his son Bobby to learn the family carpet business.
Bobby starts out at the bottom, working with the delivery guys and dispatchers for awhile, before realizing someone is selling extra inventory under the table to shady customers. Thus begins the moral crux of the film, and Bobby needs to find his loyalty. Is it with the ragtag group of employees with whom he has become close, or the foreboding eye of his out-of-touch father? After the criminal activity comes to light, he decides to walk away from the business.
Walking away from a flourishing business with minor inventory and staff issues is really easy to do when you know you can immediately change your mind and be welcomed back because it’s your father’s business.
There’s something about The Boss’ Son that fails to engage, and I think the stilted, almost stoic acting of Asher Brauner, who plays Bobby, is partly to blame. His default sympathetic look locks in at the beginning of the movie and never leaves, even when he and his father have their big blow-up. The problems with Brauner aren’t all bad, as his stoicism provides a good anchor for a lot of chaos around him, and it’s all almost saved by the fucking fantastic Henry Sanders (Killer of Sheep) as Bob’s coworker, Charles.
Worth Mentioning:
– Chris Mulkey continues popping up in every other Betamax I review.
– Richie Havens does a nice job as Albert the dispatcher.
– Someone took the time to give the company Joe owns, Rose Industries, a nice chunky ‘70s logo that appears throughout the movie.
– Rita Moreno and Piper Laurie are in this.
Poster and Box Art: It’s hard to sell a dramatic movie via poster. This one doesn’t help the case any.
Availability: Used VHS