Sydney Pollack, 1934-2008

Another loss of a respected, classy director. I'm sorry to say that I've only seen a handful of Pollack's movies, with Three Days of the Condor probably my favorite, a loose-limbed yet suspenseful spy thriller with a terrific cast. I mostly was familiar with Pollack for his performances in movies like Husbands and Wives and Eyes Wide Shut, where his presence as character actor was almost unique in this day when directors can't humble themselves to work for other directors, even though he's perfect in both of those films; and as producer on such modern classics as The Talented Mr. Ripley and Michael Clayton. He was a multitalented guy in the true sense of the word, crafting and working on intelligent, grown-up projects with unpretentious taste, and in a world increasingly dominated by movies for preadolescent boys, his contribution will be missed. Unlike so many others who were apparently on death watch for him, his passing comes as an unwelcome surprise.