The Last Detail (1973)

In the bustling naval base of Norfolk, Virginia, we find Petty Officers Billy Buddusky and Richard Mulhall, known among their peers as Badass and Mule. These seamen, seasoned by the high tides of life, are handed a seemingly simple assignment: to escort young prisoner Larry Meadows to the cold confines of Portsmouth Naval Prison in New Hampshire. Meadows, a naive eighteen-year-old seaman, is paying a hefty price for his minor theft of $40 from a high-profile charity - eight years of his young life, to be precise. The journey from Norfolk to Portsmouth, a voyage through the heart of America and its bustling cities, is not merely a physical transfer. It's an exploration into the depths of morality, justice, and camaraderie. Initially, Badass and Mule see this task as an opportunity for a paid vacation, a chance to milk the system. However, upon meeting the inexperienced Meadows, their perspective shifts. The stark reality of Meadow's harsh sentence, juxtaposed with his simple, almost child-like nature, stirs a sense of camaraderie and rebellion in the hard-edged seamen. In a spontaneous act of defiance against a system they deem unjust, they decide to gift Meadows with experiences he would be robbed of in prison. The handcuffs are removed, and what follows is a whirlwind of lessons on life, love, and the bitter tang of liquor. Amidst their misadventures, a deeper bond develops between the trio, each one learning from the others. Yet, as they inch closer to Portsmouth, the harsh reality of their situation starts to sink in. The looming prison walls cast long shadows on their newfound friendship and the freedom they briefly enjoyed. As the end of their journey approaches, each man is forced to confront their own views of justice, friendship, and the price of freedom. Engrossing and poignant, 'The Last Detail' is a touching exploration of the human spirit set against a backdrop of rigid naval discipline and societal injustice.

The Last Detail is a comedy movie featuring Jack Nicholson.

The Last Detail is currently streaming on Criterion Channel, DIRECTV and Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel .

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