Thematic Content #04: AGAINST ALL ODDS with Philip Gawthorne and Michael IQ Jones

Thematic Content is an audio essay series about the themes that define film history—across eras, genres, and filmmakers—even mediums.

Episode #04 sees the return of screenwriter, playwright, and podcaster Philip Gawthorne (Die Hard on a Blank) who brings yet another Jeff Bridges vehicle to the table: the Taylor Hackford directed neo-noir AGAINST ALL ODDS (1984). A remake of classic noir OUT OF THE PAST (1947), ODDS follows disgraced football player Terry Brogan (Bridges) who is tasked with returning a beautiful and affluent heiress (Rachel Ward) to her parents. Once found, the two fall in love and things get complicated.

Via the film's disparate notions of sex, corruption, and capitalism, Gawthorne and host Jim Penola explore how the unusual conditions of the premise (i.e. organized sports) are surprisingly well suited to address the concerns of traditional film noir storytelling.

Furthermore, Penola welcomes writer Michael IQ Jones to assess the implications of AGAINST ALL ODDS' iconic soundtrack (Phil Collins, anyone?), not to mention the unsustainable business model it helped popularize. Ultimately, the frank yet ebullient conversations of the episode place their bets on hope and friendship. 

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Thematic Content is written, produced, edited, mixed, and hosted by Jim Penola.

Original music by John Penola.

Original artwork and illustrations by NoNo Flores.

Executive produced by John Penola and Jane Penola.