The Competition (film)
- Richard Dreyfuss: Paul Dietrich
- Amy Irving: Heidi Joan Schoonover
- Lee Remick: Greta Vandemann
- Sam Wanamaker: Andrew Erskine
- Joseph Cali: Jerry DiSalvo
- Ty Henderson. Michael Humphries
- Adam Stern: Mark Landau
- Vicki Kriegler Tatjana Baronova
- Bea Silvern: Madame Gorshew
- Philip Sterling: Mr. Dietrich, Paul's father
- Priscilla Pointer: Mrs. Donellan
The grand finale is an American film drama from the year 1980. The screenplay is based on a story by director Joel Oliansky, which he wrote with producer William Sackheim.
Action
Paul Dietrich is a disillusioned pianist. Despite his talent, he has so far not managed to distinguish itself in any way. Because his father is seriously ill, he decides to take a job as a music teacher. However, he wants to perform one last chance to win a contest and traveling to San Francisco, where under the direction of renowned conductor Andrew Erskine held an international event.
Paul, who offend with his arrogance in the other side, comes into the final of the best six participants. The other finalists are the New York Jerry DiSalvo, which dominates only one piece, the globetrotter Michael Humphries, which exerts its exercises like naked, the Canadian Mark Landau, who dominated the scores perfect, it plays without emotion and the Russian Tatjana Baonova whose teacher Madame Gorshew asks for political asylum.
The sixth participant is a wealthy young American Heidi Joan Schoonover, who is attracted to Paul. Her teacher Grata Vandemann warns them to disturb their concentration by personal matters. Paul also does not want to be disturbed and has Heidi back. Paul is shocked by his own harshness and meets with Heidi, which he describes his situation. The two sleep together. Shortly before the final Heidi is aware of how much Paul means the victory. She wants to cancel their participation, whereupon the angry Greta Paul with failing to Heidi persuaded guilt.
Paul manages to persuade Heidi to participate further. The finale begins, all participants do their best. Heidi's piano has a malfunction, which stops their idea. Heidi calls for a new chance to get them and plays masterfully. It is declared the winner, Paul took second place. Heidi is happy, because she and Paul want to be partners. But Paul suffers from another defeat and remains far from the victory celebration. But he remembers better of it and returns to Heidi.
Reviews
The lexicon of the International film saw the film as " melodrama known Hollywood - style, but not only mobilizes feelings, but by numerous excerpts from famous piano concertos also an overview of the relevant work permits. Spite of all the banality of a refreshing entertainment from the dream factory. "
Janet Maslin wrote in the New York Times, the film is not really soft-hearted that he was working rather hard to be serious. But the great sentimental moments make the film become soft and tender.
The Variety accuses the director, though to look at the world of art witted but cynical. However, his bleak character study was foolish, what was due to his poor visual style and his lack of feeling for music.
Awards
So ambiguous as criticism were also the Awards or nominations.
On one side, 1981 David E. Blewitt Best in category section and Lalo Schifrin and Will Jennings were nominated for Best Original Song Oscar for the song People Alone ( sung by Randy Crawford ) in the category. In addition, Lalo Schifrin was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score.
However, it was nominated on the other side Richard Dreyfuss as worst actor for the Golden Raspberry for the first ceremony of this " award".
Background
The premiere of the film had on 3 December 1980. In Germany, he first appeared on August 28, 1981 in the cinemas.