Review of Smokey and the Bandit (1977) by Thomas M — 16 Mar 2010
You know what? I love this movie. I can watch this movie over and over again and never get tired of it. It is so awesomely watchable. I know its stupid and the plot is over the top and dumb. The characters are just caricatures and the fact that the whole thing screams redneck and country should turn me off but it don't.
This is the rare occasion where something so completely different from what I typically like to see becomes something I want to watch over and over again. Burt Reynolds oozes charm and awesomeness throughout and Jerry Reed plays your everyman enjoying the spectacle around him.
Sally Field is both hot and lovable in this. Love her hair in this. Then......there is Jackie Gleason...........as Sheriff Buford T. Justice. Of the Texas law patrol. A career defining role in a career already filled with them (Ralph Kramden in the immortal "The Honeymooners" and Minnesota Fats in "The Hustler") Here he portrays the villian with just the right combination of arrogence and ignorance and plays up the backwards stupidity of southern rednecks of the 60's and 70's so well it almost borders on brilliant.
If it weren't so hilariously dumb. The pacing of this film is just right. A slow ten minute build up of an opening and then BAM!!!! we are gone! Feeling like were also going 110 miles an hour from Atlanta, Georgia to Texarkana, Texas in under 48 hours or whatever it is.
And it even has a little history in it as at the time it was illeagal to transport coors beer beyond the Mississippi river. The music is so perfect for what is going on screen and Jerry Reed has a very likeable persona as a singer.
"Eastbound & Down" has become such an iconic song over the years yet it is still always listneable. And then there is the 1976 black Trans Am. One of the iconic film cars. All in all this is not artsy fartsy and it doesn't have anything to say.
But is a damn fine peice of entertainment and in the end that is most peoples reason to watch a movie. Plus it doesn't have big stupid robots so it does keeps its silliness down to earth. A fun ride anytime I need a pick me up.
Just as long as the sequels are forgotten.
This review of Smokey and the Bandit (1977) was written by Thomas M on 16 Mar 2010.
Smokey and the Bandit has generally received positive reviews.
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