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Month: August 2023

Fighting Mad (1976)

Fighting Mad (1976)

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“I’m gonna have to start kickin’ asses and takin’ names.”

Synopsis:
After his brother (Scott Glenn) and pregnant sister-in-law (Kathleen Miller) are brutally murdered, a young father (Peter Fonda) vows to seek revenge against the corrupt businessman (Philip Carey) intent on taking over the farm run by his own father (John Doucette).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Corruption
  • Jonathan Demme Films
  • Peter Fonda Films
  • Revenge
  • Roger Corman Films
  • Scott Glenn Films

Review:
Jonathan Demme wrote and directed this Roger-Corman-produced exploitation flick which functions as a modern-day western, with corrupt land developers ramrodding their way into an idyllic farming village, and a well-meaning sheriff (Harry Northup) caught in between the warring parties. From the opening sequence involving a bullying driver, Fonda’s Tom Hunter (who we ultimately learn is proficient with hand-to-hand combat, gun use, and a bow-and-arrow):

… is positioned as someone who will stick up for the underdog at any cost — a theme which continues throughout various scenarios.

There’s not much to the revenge-filled screenplay other than Fonda attempting to convince Northup that lethal shenanigans are at play; Fonda dating a beautiful young woman (Lynn Lowry) who is distressed by his distraction:

… and Fonda responding to the the relentlessly ruthless moves demanded by power-hungry Carey of his many minions.

Good use is made of low-budget lighting and sets, and it’s all competently directed — but this flick is only must-see for diehard Demme, Corman, or Fonda fans.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

  • Effective sets and performances

Must See?
No. Listed as a Cult Movie in the back of Peary’s book.

Links:

Every Which Way But Loose (1978)

Every Which Way But Loose (1978)

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“Well, it appears to me that there can’t be too many guys driving around this valley with an ape.”

Synopsis:
A trucker and fighter (Clint Eastwood) who’s fallen in love with an itinerant country-western singer named Lynn Halsey-Taylor (Sondra Locke) travels across the country with his buddy (Geoffrey Lewis) and pet orangutan Clyde (Manis) to find her.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Clint Eastwood Films
  • Comedy
  • Primates
  • Road Trip
  • Ruth Gordon Films
  • Truckers

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that while “Clint Eastwood’s first outright comedy” — surely inspired by the popularity of Smokey and the Bandit (1977) — “drew the wrath of most critics,” it “became his biggest commercial success at the time.” He argues that “as directed by James Fargo, it’s a very crude, too violent, thinly plotted but often very funny film about a not-too-bright but amiable trucker named Philo Beddoe, who picks up extra money by challenging local toughs to bare-knuckle fights.”

Peary spends the bulk of his review describing the various characters and scenarios — which include “the cantankerous Ma (Ruth Gordon)”:

… a “mysterious country-western singer [with] a secret” (Locke):

… the “resourceful girlfriend (Beverly D’Angelo)” of Orville (Wright):

… and a slapstick-filled pursuit “by an inept, overage motorcycle gang and two cops.”

Peary writes that while “the film is absurd… Locke’s character is intriguing and there’s something touching about Philo as he attempts to win her over” — though this may only hold true for diehard Eastwood fans. For all others, this is simply an erstwhile crowd-pleaser now memorable for featuring an orangutan (who gives a fine performance).

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

  • Philo and Clyde’s rapport together

Must See?
No, though it has its fans.

Links: