Review of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) by Grant S — 22 Feb 2014

Mildly interesting, nothing special. Interesting in that it stars Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges, and is probably the only movie to include both of them. Eastwood was already an established star while this movie came early in Bridges' movie career. Interesting too in that it is the directing debut of Michael Cimino. His next movie was one of the greatest movies of all time, The Deer Hunter.

This said, despite the acting, directing and writing (Cimino also wrote the script) talent involved, the movie is nothing special. It mostly plays as a farcical comedy. Gratuitous car chases, scenes that have no point, sometimes-random plot. Throw in an implausible bank heist and it doesn't feel at all original.

Then we have a very dramatic and moving ending, just to confuse your emotions and sense of what type of movie it is.

Performances are good, however. Jeff Bridges is great as Lightfoot and Clint Eastwood is solid, and very Eastwoodesque, as Thunderbolt. Good support from George Kennedy and Geoffrey Lewis. Gary Busey has a very minor role.