Loose Ends (1975)

Two working class friends desire to escape from their depressing lives.

Directors:

David Burton Morris, Victoria Wozniak

Writers:

David Burton Morris, Victoria Wozniak

Stars:

Chris Mulkey, John Jenkins, Linda Jenkins

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Mulkey	...	Billy Regis
John Jenkins	...	Eddie Hassit
Linda Jenkins	...	Eddie's wife
Bobby Jenkins	...	Jason Hassit
Irv Fink	...	Mr. Farrell
Gerald Drake	...	Grocery Clerk
Judith Poplinski	...	Waitress
Christian Mulkey Sr.	...	Shop Foreman
Pamela LaVarre	...	Girl in Jaguar
Faye Gallos	...	Nightclub Dancer
Darlette Engelmeier	...	Pickup
Ruby Tuesday	...	Pickup
S.R. Griffis	...	Pool Player
Bill Tilton	...	Pool Player
Bret Larson	...	Bar Tough

Storyline

Two working class friends desire to escape from their depressing lives.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | student film | independent film | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 May 1975 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Eagle, Fat Chance Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by Patti Rocks (1988)

User Reviews

A study of blue-collar entrapment and rebellion.

I saw this movie at the University of Minnesota when it was new. That I still remember several scenes after one viewing thirty years ago, says much more about the impact of the film than it does about my memory.

The film is set in the Twin Cities in one of the working class neighborhoods such as existed before the collapse of America's manufacturing culture. Two young friends work in a St. Paul car dealership as mechanics. One is an unmarried wisecracker, the other is more sober and married. The latter's wife is late in her pregnancy and it is the middle of the summer. The summer heat, the boredom of the job and home life, the sense of pinched finances create an atmosphere of a dead end to life in one's late twenties. (One simple shot of the three lead characters sitting on cheap lawn chairs accomplishes so much in advancing this theme.) Through the provocation of the wiseacre friend, the more stable one attempts to rebel against his situation. The outcome of this revolt provides the final theme.

The film was shot in the cinema verite, black and white hand-held camera style. It has an authenticity in its frank view of life for lower class, white, manual workers. There is no polemic here, just honest storytelling.