Review of The Sugarland Express (1974) by Rosemarie S — 31 Jul 2009

Before "Jaws" propelled Steven Spielberg's career into overdrive, he was a television director, often on episodes of "Columbo" and "Night Gallery." Then came "Duel", his suspenseful television film that made him notable, if not bankable, in the Hollywood eye.

His first theatrical release, The "Sugarland Express," displays the skills that would take his career to the next level. Spielberg brings a tragic realism along with a sense of adventure to this fictionalized true tale.

Goldie Hawn gives a good dramatic performance peppered with her comedic timing. If you only know William Atheron from his asshole roles in "Ghostbusters" and "Die Hard" you will be suprised at how good he is here.

Ben Johnson fills out the cast as the kindly police captain who senses that things will end badly but is willing to do anything within his power to avoid a tragedy. Spielberg flexes his technical chops with inventive shots that allow the film to appear larger than it is.

The film is flawed as the story is stretched to fill the running time and some of the charterers are Southern stereotypes. But worth seeing as many of the components of this film would appear throughout Spielberg's work.