| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Richard Pryor | ... | ||
| Cicely Tyson | ... | ||
| Angel Ramirez Jr. | ... |
Julio
(as Ángel Ramírez)
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Jimmy Hughes | ... | |
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Edwin DeLeon | ... | |
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Edwin Kinter | ... |
Anthony
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Tami Luchow | ... |
Linda
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Janet Wong | ... |
Annie
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Alphonso Alexander | ... |
Martin
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Kia Cooper | ... |
Samantha
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Robert Christian | ... |
Donald
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| George Coe | ... |
Doctor Wilson T. Renfrew
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| Bill Quinn | ... |
Judge Antonio Runzuli
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| Roy Jenson | ... |
Klan Leader
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Fred Carney | ... |
Alfred Schuyler
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Joe Braxton is an ex-con who has been given a second chance to freedom after violating his probation. He has been hired by a school teacher named Vivian Perry to repair and drive an old school bus and drive a group of Special kids to Ms. Perry's Washington Farm from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to give them a new home after The Clarmont Center for Children is shut down by the city. The kids have severe mental problems and Joe is not looking forward to the trip at all, but Joe later bonds with Vivian and the children, offering his support and love and changes his outlook on life. But Donald, the social worker and Vivian's lover who gave Joe his break is hot on their tail and wants Joe back in prison. Joe and Vivian must now prevent Donald from sending the children back to Philidelphia where they'll have no future. Written by Geoffrey A. Middleton <gamidd01@morehead-st.edu>
This is one of those movies that, unless you have too many expectations, turn out to be quite entertaining. It stars Richard Pryor as an ex-con who agrees to transport a teacher (Cicely Tyson) and eight misfit children from Philadelphia to Washington, as part of his probation. Richard Pryor is known for his abilities in physical comedy. Surprisingly enough, the best part of the film are the more emotional scenes, where he gets to interact with the children. However, there are some other scenes, clearly going for the big laughs, that are not as successful, like the one with the KKK or the ones in the bank near the end of the film, and they threaten to spoil the fun. "Bustin' loose" is a good comedy, although it would have been even better if the script had relied more on Pryor's relationship with the children than on the physical comedy parts. It is definitely not a masterpiece, but if you need an evening of relaxation in front of the TV, then this film is for you.
Rating: 7/10, or B1