Max (Gene Hackman) and "Lion" (Al Pacino) are two drifters who meet on the road. Max is an ex-convict, while Lion is a former sailor who abandoned his wife. Before much time has passed, they've become friends. They stick together while each man works towards a purpose. Max has been socking away a moderate amount of funds in order to open a car wash in Pittsburgh, and Lion is looking to go to Detroit to meet his child (he doesn't even know if the kid is male or female) for the first time.
Garry Michael White wrote the screenplay for this thoughtful, sensitive drama, capably handled by photographer Jerry Schatzberg, in his third filmmaking credit. Given the nature of Schatzbergs' former trade, it's not surprising that the film looks great, especially since it's shot in Panavision and makes great use of several locations. Like so many late 1960s and 1970s films, it's not afraid to get grim, and doesn't spoon feed the audience a happy, conclusive ending. It is somewhat episodic, with two major sequences. First, Max connects with an old friend, Coley (Dorothy Tristan), who partners with a gal named Frenchy (Ann Wedgeworth) in the junk business. Next, after a bar room brawl, Max and Lion spend time in stir, where Lion is victimized by a trustee (Richard Lynch).
Hackman and Pacino have rarely been this engaging. It's not surprising to learn that Max is the favourite role for the now retired Hackman; it is an interesting, amusing character, a man who's both a lover and a fighter. Pacinos' Lion may seem to be the inexperienced, naive one, but he's actually the one who has more to teach his new friend. In particular, how to have a good laugh.
The first rate supporting cast also includes Eileen Brennan and Penelope Allen. Lynch once again shows why he was one of the big screens' premier villains. Richard Hackman, who has the small role of Mickey, is Genes' brother.
Nicely shot (by Vilmos Zsigmond) and scored (by Fred Myrow), this is an affecting little film that leaves a memorable impression.
Seven out of 10.
Garry Michael White wrote the screenplay for this thoughtful, sensitive drama, capably handled by photographer Jerry Schatzberg, in his third filmmaking credit. Given the nature of Schatzbergs' former trade, it's not surprising that the film looks great, especially since it's shot in Panavision and makes great use of several locations. Like so many late 1960s and 1970s films, it's not afraid to get grim, and doesn't spoon feed the audience a happy, conclusive ending. It is somewhat episodic, with two major sequences. First, Max connects with an old friend, Coley (Dorothy Tristan), who partners with a gal named Frenchy (Ann Wedgeworth) in the junk business. Next, after a bar room brawl, Max and Lion spend time in stir, where Lion is victimized by a trustee (Richard Lynch).
Hackman and Pacino have rarely been this engaging. It's not surprising to learn that Max is the favourite role for the now retired Hackman; it is an interesting, amusing character, a man who's both a lover and a fighter. Pacinos' Lion may seem to be the inexperienced, naive one, but he's actually the one who has more to teach his new friend. In particular, how to have a good laugh.
The first rate supporting cast also includes Eileen Brennan and Penelope Allen. Lynch once again shows why he was one of the big screens' premier villains. Richard Hackman, who has the small role of Mickey, is Genes' brother.
Nicely shot (by Vilmos Zsigmond) and scored (by Fred Myrow), this is an affecting little film that leaves a memorable impression.
Seven out of 10.