Rating of
3/4
Happy Days Are Here Again!
Indyfreak - wrote on 11/22/14
As comedian of variable talent and TCM host Bill Hader mentioned when presenting 'Slither' before my eyes, this is a really offbeat road movie which people might like if they're into that genre. And by offbeat, I don't mean silly like Smokey and the Bandit or stupid like those so-so teen movies. I mean it has an actual plot that's nevertheless so unconventionally structured, you have to pay attention to figure it out and besides, it's actually a lot of fun along the way.
James Caan is the straight man and our protagonist, an ex-con who finds out his deceased buddy conspired to embezzle a fortune which is up for grabs by the time the opening credits roll. Joining him on his quest to retrieve the money is Peter Boyle playing a greedy retiree and Sally Kellerman who's a sexy but spaced out flower child with a surprisingly violent streak.
Admittedly, the movie is very slowly paced but it's too strange to just switch off and ends up becoming a breath of fresh air from all the road movies trying to imitate Dukes of Hazzard. Plus that opening theme song is so catchy.
