There’s good cheese … and bad cheese

As I type this, I’m watching “The Holcroft Covenant,” John Frankenheimer’s 1985 spy film starring the ubiquitous Michael Caine. Once again, I’m reminded of just how good Caine is when he’s cast in the right project.

In the final scene, when all the mysteries are solved and the final confrontation has occurred, Caine turns back to the camera. And in the space of several seconds turns his expression from one of grim satisfaction to utter grief. In the process, he even squeezes out a couple of crocodile tears.

Yeah, it’s cheesy. But it’s effective. Makes me think of other great cheesy moments.

Compare it, say, to the cheesorama moments from “The Wicker Man,” below: