Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)
Plot In A Paragraph: A bank robber (Eastwood) gets his old gang back together, to organize a daring new heist, with the help of a young sidekick (A brilliant Jeff Bridges)
This is one of my favourite Clint movies that isn't a western or a Dirty Harry movie. There is just so much to savour. The great chemistry between Clint and Jeff Bridges, great locations, wonderful dialogue and not to mention the soundtrack too.
Again, Clint clearly did his own stunts. I think Clint should have been nominated for an Oscar for his work here. Apparently he agreed and rumour has it, he was upset Bridges was nominated, whilst he was ignored. Malpaso regulars Geoffrey Lewis and Bill McKinney pop up too.
My Dad (God rest his sole) never cared for this movie, citing its homoerotic subtext for his reason (Top Gun and Tango & Cash were also movies he disliked for this reason) and I know a few people who think the same, but it's never been a problem for me and I think if you scrutinize such matters too closely, you lose sight of the movies playful nature. And whilst there are moments, it's not like the two men are without women in the movie!! Bridges picks up two girls, and takes them back to the Motel for him and Clint, then the next day when the go for breakfast, Bridges orders 4 eggs, bacon, toast, fries, coffee and the waitress herself, whilst Clint orders a black coffee and smirks at his companion.
Thunderbolt & Lightfoot disappointingly didn't make a dent at the box office grossing only $9 million at the domestic box office!! A huge disappointment to Clint, who blamed United Artists for inadequately promoting the film. Despite his relationship with the studio on the spaghetti Westerns, and having a two picture deal from the studio, he never made another movie for them.
