Funny, insightful and supremely well cast.

Rating: Null/10 (3 January 2003)

In regards to rotopex's comments below: I don't think anyone should with hold their opinion because they have not read the book or studied the history of the time it came from. It's sheer hubris to assume that only those who have done so can offer any worthwhile criticism. I come from the school of thought that says a movie should be judged entirely on it's own merits, separate from any work that it may be based on or inspired by. It is very interesting to hear what modern viewers who have not read the book think of this film.
That being said, Catch-22 is my favorite book of all time. I've read it more times than I can count. I highly recommend it to anyone.
The movie Catch-22 is a pretty good film. The cast is fantastic. The whole thing seems a bit rushed so it helps that every player is so naturally capable of establishing themselves in their parts. You are not likely to confuse Orson Welles for Charles Grodin or he for Art Garfunkel. All of them delight and the script gives them some great lines to delvier. The directing is tight and does a good job of trying to show things from the main characters fractured point of view. The ending is great and still delivers quite the jolt.
On the downside, like I said, in many parts the film does feel rushed. Sometimes you would like it to maybe linger in some scenes and hear more from some characters. Some of the dialogue has not held up well over the years and may seem facile or obvious to modern, more jaded audiences.
In the whole, it's a smart, funny and well rendered film.