Synopsis:
After his murdered companion (Richard B. Shull) tells him about a stash of embezzled money, a just-released ex-con (James Caan) hits the road and encounters a variety of kooky individuals — including pill-popping Kitty (Sally Kellerman) and a couple (Peter Boyle and Louise Lasser) travelling around in their brand new Airstream R.V.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Comedy
• Ex-Cons
• James Caan Films
• Peter Boyle Films
• Road Trips
• Sally Kellerman Films

Review:
It’s challenging to know quite what to make of this unconventional road-trip comedy — directed by Howard Zieff, and scripted by W.D. Richter — in which each scene seems designed for maximum “What will come next?” randomness. From the opening sequence in which Shull is fatally gunned down but manages to tell Caan about hidden dirty money:

… to Caan’s encounters with a peculiar hippie (Kellerman) who is ready for adventures of many kinds:

… to Caan’s interactions with a quirky RV-loving couple (Boyle and Lasser):

… and then meeting back up again with Kellerman (all while being followed by a bizarrely angular black van accompanied by menacing music on the soundtrack):

… we know there is not a lot of point in trying to predict where things will go. If you’re up for this type of comedic experience, by all means check it out; but it’s not must-see viewing unless you’re curious to see Lasser in one of her very few post-Woody Allen cinematic roles (she’s great).

And no — the title doesn’t seem to make any sense, and is never explained. The filmmakers have only themselves to blame that viewers will forever confuse this with a later movie about an alien plague.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

• Fine performances by the primary cast
  
• Numerous surreally absurd moments
  
• László Kovács’s cinematography
  

Must See?
No, though it’s worth a one-time look if you’re curious.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review
• Time Out Capsule Review
• Village Voice Review