Charlton Heston seemed fond of starring in apocalyptic science-fiction films in the late 1960s and early '70s. There was <i>Planet of the Apes</i>, of course, and <i>The Omega Man</i>. But there was also 1973's <i>Soylent Green</i>, a strange detective film (based on Harry Harrison's <i>Make Room! Make Room!</i>) set in 2022 and starring Heston as a Manhattan cop trying to solve a murder in the overpopulated, overheated city. His roommate (a necessity in the overcrowded metropolis), played by Edward G. Robinson, tries telling him about a better time on Earth before there were no more resources or room left; but Heston doesn't care. Directed by Richard Fleischer (<i>The Vikings</i>), the film has a curious but largely successful mix of mystery and bleak futuristic vision, somewhat like <i>Blade Runner</i> but without the extraordinary art direction. This was Robinson's last film and he's easily the best thing about it; his final scene seems terribly appropriate in retrospect. Joseph Cotten makes an appearance as the man whose murder results in the revelation of a shocking secret. <I>--Tom Keogh</I>
Viewer Reviews Came in as described. daughter loves the movie and was glad to be able to have it.
