In terms of filmmaking, the 1970s was a revolutionary period for a number of reasons. The era, which has often been referred to under the general term of the New Hollywood movement, brought about an entirely new generation of filmmakers, whose youthful voices and unique perspectives contributed to a seismic shift in how stories were told. However, even if we look beyond the specific individuals, and just focus on the kinds of narratives that were being spun, we can see how this period also gave rise to stories that were far more complex than those produced in previous decades. More than anything else, we found filmmakers telling stories about America that didn’t hinge on patriotic portrayals of the country, or those that paid tribute to the supposedly flawless American Dream that was well within the reach of everyone who worked hard, or at least as they were led to believe. John G. Avildsen uses these ideas as the foundation for Save the Tiger, a remarkable film centred around Harry Stoner, a middle-aged businessman who runs a small fashion company that is currently on its last legs, and in order to keep it afloat, he and his business partner decide to surrender to the temptation to take the easy way out, flirting with criminal activity as their final resort. The film is a masterful exploration of American values, taken from a very different perspective than anything we saw produced in prior decades – and while it may be a relatively traditional film, especially considering Avildsen was a reliable but straightforward director, Save the Tiger makes a profound impact, especially when commenting on issues that are much deeper than we’d imagine based on the surface-level premise.

From the outset, we need to note how the entire reason Save the Tiger has persisted in the culture isn’t necessarily due to the strong story, but rather the performance given by Jack Lemmon. This is amongst the esteemed actor’s most beloved performances, with many considering it amongst his best, particularly in terms of contrasting his extremely dramatic work here with the several incredible comedic performances he turned in during his prolific career. The film is a masterful character study that ventures deep into the psychology of a man who is well-aware of the fact that he is deeply mediocre, but struggles to find a way out of this mental labyrinth. Lemmon is just tremendous in the film, finding the truth in a character that would normally be considered despicable, but in Lemmon’s hands, he’s absolutely magnificent. Harry Stoner is one of the most gloriously pathetic characters in the history of cinema, a sycophantic and scheming loser who leeches off society and is always looking for an easy way out – but somehow, Lemmon makes him likeable, and we almost start to feel sorry for the character, who turns out to be a tragic hero, someone whose life has been one neverending debacle, whether it be his time spent fighting in the Second World War (which has caused him to develop severe post-traumatic stress disorder, which is almost entirely crippling to him in his everyday life), his failing marriage or his business, which is taking considerable strain as a result of his rampant incompetence. It’s a curious performance that is filled with unique perspectives provided by an actor who played so many different roles leading up to this one, his portrayal of Harry seems like a convergence of many of the characters he took on over the years, and for that reason alone, Save the Tiger remains some of his best work, at least in terms of seeing a slightly different side of him.

It seems almost cliched to say that any work of art that is vaguely critical about characters that are not particularly likeable is secretly a social critique of America as a whole – and Save the Tiger isn’t much of an exception, with the entire concept of the film being one that focuses on the main character’s journey through a flawed version of our world, one where corruption isn’t only excusable, but actively encouraged if someone wants to get further in life. The film is set over roughly 24 hours in the life of the main character as he mulls over some serious decisions in his life, whether it be trying to find a way to save his business from ruin, or become a better husband and father to his family, and through situating in in such a limited time-frame, the audience isn’t privy to the decisions he makes, nor the consequences of his actions. Yet, we still feel the growing sense of unease, the realization that Harry is not going to get away with it, even if it means he is going to turn himself in. The film is rooted heavily in discussions around morality – the protagonist is a man who wants to do the right thing, but knows how impossible it is, since there is always going to be challenges that get in the way. He’s not an inherently bad person, but rather a man who is desperate to survive, and his drive to find a way out of his middle-class suburban malaise forces him to sacrifice his good-natured ethics. It’s a poignant exploration of the American way of life, filtered through the perspective of a man on the brink of a complete collapse – and using Harry as an allegory for an entire class and generation of people allows Save the Tiger to make some profound statements without ever becoming heavy-handed in its commentary.

More specifically than its portrayal of American society in the post-war decades is its representation of masculinity, which is the aspect of the film that lingers most profoundly. Harry is someone who is driven by the persistent need to prove himself as a man, defining his success about whether he can provide for his family. Contrasting the very morally ambigious protagonist is his business partner (played wonderfully by Jack Gilford, who is a perfect companion to Lemmon’s more vague central character), who is less concerned with proving his own masculinity, and more focused on doing what he knows to be right. There is a recurring motif around the idea of endangered species – the title itself refers to a petition signed by the main character, which seeks to help prevent the extinction of the tiger, a majestic beast that Harry compares himself to, even though he is the complete antithesis of this powerful, beautiful creature. Throughout the film, there is an idea of the “all-American man” slowly going extinct, with this archetype gradually being replaced by more morally confused individuals who are not afraid of stepping on a few toes or playfully “doing ballet” to help them get ahead, even if it means facing dire consequences that could rob them of the freedom they so deeply crave, yet still somehow take for granted when they get it. The commentary in this regard is deep and insightful, and Avildsen, who often ventured into stories focused on alternative perspectives of masculinity, is quite adept at looking at this side of reality in vivid and unflinching detail.

Save the Tiger is a film of contradictions, a complex character study with a strange perspective on reality – but somehow through all of it, it manages to still be a profoundly moving drama with as much heart as it has scathing commentary at its core. Whether it is looking at the broadest concepts relating to American life in the 1970s, a decade filled with challenges that faced the country (and the world at large), with the spectre of the Second World War colliding with a variety of other conflicts arising from the Cold War, creating a discomfiting image of the world, or in the most intimate, character-driven details, the film is an absolute triumph, a heartwrenching analysis of one man’s desperate attempts to survive, and his gradual realization that salvation is incredibly difficult when one is willing to sacrifice all their morals for the sake of getting ahead. We’re invited to follow this character as he navigates a hostile world, presented with difficult decisions that he knows could either result in him finally making his way out of his dire financial situation, or facing strict consequences for his actions. It’s a film filled with difficult conversations, and the director makes sure that each and every one of them is presented with authenticity, never going too far in what could’ve easily been an overwrought social drama. Anchored by a magnificent performance by one of the greatest actors to ever work in the medium, and driven by a very strange sense of compassion towards a lost generation of people, Save the Tiger is a fascinating piece of New Hollywood filmmaking, and a very important story as a whole.