Bear with me. Obviously Harry O is not Columbo. But this TV movie, the first pilot for the Harry O TV series, will remind you of some of the best of 70's Columbo, and even of modern shows like "Better Call Saul." While there are chase scenes and shootouts, sure, the film is not rushed and allows the viewer to seep into the story and the character. The beginning and ending are great examples: The opening scene, with Harry asleep and Garrison sitting in the foreground and all you see is his gun, blurred, and then the alarm goes off...and the final scene where the credits roll while Harry is sitting on the bench at the bus stop. Wonderful.
Another reviewer criticizes the Heroin making scene with Will Geer. This is the type of scene that generic shows don't have, but it's beauty is in it's detail and length.
The link to Columbo is that Janssen establishes a character, like Columbo, that is unique and interesting and mysterious (i.e. He doesn't reveal what he knows and what he's thinking) and both demonstrably think things out. In this film there's a great scene where Harry sits on the beach and has his lover ask him "obvious" questions to try to suss out some answers, just like Columbo often does (although Columbo usually quizzes himself!).
And I liked how throughout the film they show Harry jogging every morning, with the payoff being that he can outlast the younger Sal Mineo in the ending chase scene.
All in all, excellent!
Another reviewer criticizes the Heroin making scene with Will Geer. This is the type of scene that generic shows don't have, but it's beauty is in it's detail and length.
The link to Columbo is that Janssen establishes a character, like Columbo, that is unique and interesting and mysterious (i.e. He doesn't reveal what he knows and what he's thinking) and both demonstrably think things out. In this film there's a great scene where Harry sits on the beach and has his lover ask him "obvious" questions to try to suss out some answers, just like Columbo often does (although Columbo usually quizzes himself!).
And I liked how throughout the film they show Harry jogging every morning, with the payoff being that he can outlast the younger Sal Mineo in the ending chase scene.
All in all, excellent!
