Am I Missing Something?

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

"Oh, please don't worry. I'm not going into that cavity. That nerve's already dying. A live, freshly-cut nerve is infinitely more sensitive. So I'll just drill into a healthy tooth until I reach the pulp... unless of course you can tell me that it's safe."

Tense and effective thriller with puzzlelike plot construction, flawless direction by John Schlesinger, a chilling music score by Michael Small, and an unforgettable villain in Laurence Olivier (the "is it safe?" line is justifiably famous). The finale is perhaps not all it could have been, but it does take place in an unusual location. Dustin Hoffman is surprisingly convincing as a long-distance runner, less so as a student (he was 38 at the time). *** out of 4.

After seeing the infamous "is it safe?" dental torture scene over and over on "Best Of..." lists throughout the years, I finally decided to rent the entire film and give it a watch. Unfortunately, I was severely disappointed in what many critics consider to be one of the greatest suspense films of all time.Basically, the plot centers on Babe (played by a very young Dustin Hoffman), who finds himself, after the death of his friend (Roy Schieder) suddenly and unwillingly caught up in a plot to liberate a former Nazi commandant (Laurence Olivier).As usual, the scene in which Babe is orthodontically tortured by the former Nazi stands out among all others and truly is as chilling as they come. However, the entire first half of the film is so confusing as to make viewers begin to lose interest. Then, once you do start to get an understanding of the events that have transpired, it isn't until the final 20 minutes or so that the threads really come together in an emotional, exciting manner.About the only thing that saves the experience from being a complete waste is the fine acting from Hoffman, Olivier, and Schieder, as well as a great performance from William Devane, one of the greatest character-actors of all-time. Just watching the interactions between those four (and others) is enough to at least keep you from clicking the "Stop" button altogether.Thus, I would recommend skipping this film and just appreciate it's "magnum opus" scene for what it is worth. Based on the kind of rave reviews I had read about Marathon Man before viewing, it seems blown out of proportion to the reality of the on-screen action. Unless you are from the 1970s and can get a thrill from the time period itself, be warned that this one may not hook you like the hype may say it will.

at the first sigh, the genre of film about you say - I saw it - because its recipes is familiar to you. Nazi, secrets, corruption, the innocent victim, fists, revelations, the well known end. nothing original. but Marathon Man , being the part of this familiar definition, is different. for Dustin Hoffman who does more than a good job but impose in the perfect manner, the mark of his character in the memory of the viewer. for Laurence Olivier who gives a fascinating portrait of the old man with dark past and high ambition. and few scenes who are all virtues to be memorable.not the least, William Devane in a decent role, useful as bridge between different pieces of story. a film who remains a delight. again and again.