Movie : Scarecrow

We open up with a man walking down a hill in the country.  He struggles through a barbwire fence and makes his way to a lonely stretch of highway.  A smaller man pops out from behind a tree and tries to engage the bigger guy in a conversation.  He’s ignored.  We stay with the two as they individually try to hitch a ride on opposite sides of the road.  The little guy still tries to make a connection with the big guy but no go.  The big man tries to light his cigar but his lighter won’t work.  Smaller man walks over, pulls out a light and the cigar is lit.  Next scene the two are in the back of a truck.  Friends.

Next stop is a roadside diner where the big guy, Max who has just gotten out of the joint asks the little guy, Lionel who’s been at sea if he “wants to go into business?”.  Lionel says “OK”.  Partners.  They both have to make stops before they go to Pittsburgh where they plan to open up their car wash.  Max has it all figured out and has the money to get them started.  “For every car, there’s dirt”.  We follow the partners as they make their way to Pittsburgh.  Jumping trains, visiting Max’s sister,  delivering a present to Lion’s “kid”.  That’s it.

But what a journey.  Loved this film start to finish.  Jerry Schatzberg’s direction is flawless, Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography is beautiful.  All the performances are fantastic.  Eileen Brennan,  Dorothy Tristan,  Ann Wedgeworth,  Richard Lynch,  Penelope Allen.  All bit parts are filled by believable people.

Hackman and Al Pacino were never better.  Big and violent and small and harmless.  Two different characters.  Acting lessons from both.  Babyhead’s favorite Pacino role.  Loved it.  Hackman is fabulous.  Add another standout role to his list.  Memorable performances and characters.  Buy both as real people.

Great scene after great scene.  They just keep coming.  How many do you want?  You get a whole movie full here. Opening, cafe, Coley’s place, Pacino and Lynch getting loaded, Pacino talking to his ex- wife (heartbreaking,), the fountain, lesson on shoveling pig shit, Hackman dancing in the bar, hospital.

This is a special film.  Babyhead has it near the top of his list.  It was that good to him.  If you’ve never seen it, bracket a couple hours and see what you think.  If you like a good story, truthful and realistic acting and just plain good film making you won’t be disappointed .  One of those films that made CB a film lover.

“I don’t trust anybody.  I don’t love anybody”.  Once in a while people change.  Max did.  Oh yeah, if you want to make a friend have an extra match in your pocket.