Synopsis: On release from jail, small time criminal gets himself deeper and deeper into trouble
Director: Ulu Grosbard
Actors: Dustin Hoffman, Harry Dean Stanton, Gary Busey, Theresa Russell, M Emmet Walsh, Kathy Bates
Date: 1978
How viewed: Bought DVD
Rating: 3/5
David Meyer says:
Hoffman presents a once-whole man fractured into pieces. His portrayal of a convict is a Chinese puzzle box of hidden emotions and undiscussed intents.
I say:
Small time criminal (Dustin Hoffman) is released from jail, and tries to make it back into society - finds somewhere to stay, finds a job, finds a girlfriend, generally tries to stay away from old friends - but then falls foul of his parole officer, and suddenly turns manic - contacts his fellow convicts, gets a gun, steals cars, robs grocery stores, borrows money, robs bank, shoot people, and, inevitably, against the advice of his wiser colleague (Harry Dean Stanton) pushes his luck and loses it all. I liked the first half - there was a quietness about it, and you felt sympathy for Hoffman trying to go straight. Then he just seemed to turn from gentle mild mannered Dr Bruce Banner into The Hulk, and it all got really annoying. Having said that the cast was stellar - though all looking a little young! - and it hasn't aged too badly. I was just really upset that his girlfriend, who apparently had just started a very minor post in an employment agency, had a pale blue convertible Mustang - how did she do that!
No comments:
Post a Comment