Review of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) by Andrew S — 29 Jun 2009
Clint Eastwood made a series of excellent movies throughout the decade, including The Beguiled (1970), Dirty Harry (1971), High Plains Drifter (1973), Breezy (1973), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), The Gauntlet (1977), and Escape From Alcatraz (1979).
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, however, is in a class all by itself. It?s Exhibit A in the canon of modern day westerns; it?s a heartbreaking tragedy; and it laid the template for the slew of buddy movies that would follow in the decades to come.
Eastwood plays Thunderbolt, a middle-aged thief on the run from his old gang; Jeff Bridges plays Lightfoot, a charming hustler who becomes Eastwood?s friend. The two actors make a terrific team, as do George Kennedy and Geoffrey Lewis as Eastwood?s old partners.
It?s an early film in Eastwood?s canon dealing with aging ? a theme he?d return to repeatedly throughout his career. Thunderbolt?s past is catching up with him, and Lightfoot?s youthful vitality proves to be the catalyst that makes the spiteful, mean spirited, sexually impotent Red Leary (Kennedy) explode.
Bridges deservedly got an Oscar nomination, but Kennedy is even better in my book. He?s terrifying!
This review of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) was written by Andrew S on 29 Jun 2009.
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot has generally received positive reviews.
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