Goin' South
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Movie Reviews of Goin' South
Movie Review: Goin South
Summary: 5 Stars
One of my favorite movies. If you do not get a chucle out of this movie you have no sense of humor.Movie Review: This is really a funny movie.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is really a funny movie, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.Movie Review: Goin South
Summary: 5 Stars
Item exactly as described in ad. Prompt shipping. Love the movie. ThanksMovie Review: For A Fairly Obscure Nicholson Flick, This One's Pretty Impressive
Summary: 4 Stars
Plot: Henry Lloyd Moon (Jack Nicholson), an outlaw with dreams of escaping to Mexico, is set to be hanged. But when he hears about the town law that states any woman who owns land can save a man from execution by offering herself in marriage to him, things are looking up. And wouldn't you know it, right before the hatch is dropped, a young lady named Julia (Mary Steenburgen) speaks up and takes the outlaw into her legal custody. But it turns out she's got a bit of a cold motive. She firmly believes that there's gold somewhere within the mines of her property -- gold that her now deceased father searched for all his life but never uncovered. She employs her new "husband" to help dig. At first, this partnership is set for destruction with obvious differences between the two. But before long it seems that things might work out differently than expected. Can the rugged Moon come to find the heart to settle down for a woman he might actually have true feelings for? Or is he really just a tool to her selfish intentions, destined to fulfill his lonesome dreams, going south of the border and to continue his ways of rebellion?
I hadn't heard much about this movie. But being a sucker for anything Jack's layed his hands on, I knew I had to try this. After all, it's 1978 -- post One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and pre The Shining. In his early fourties, is this not the golden stage of his iconic charisma? Well, Goin' South was no classic, but it sure put a smile on my face.
I was worried because of the plotline that there would be too much romance. Not so. Although there's a strong love story twisted in there, there are plenty of laughs to be had and very little (if any) mushy-mushy junk. The storyline unfolds nicely, employing plenty of memorable scenes with some pretty funny material. With a supporting cast of Christopher Lloyd, John Belushi, Danny DeVito, and Veronica Cartwright, the mood was set for a feel-good mix of knee-slapping comedy and interesting characters.
The only thing I found a bit annoying was what other reviewers have frequently mentioned -- Jack's voice. It's not the Southern accent that throws you off, it's the fact that he sounds like he's got a cold. There are a few scenes where he seems clearer, yet most of the time he speaks with a huffy sound like he was just recovering from a winter flu. I don't know if he intended it that way, or if some of the *ahem* substances *ahem* of that time took a slight toll on his voice. Either way, it's not so distracting that it would ruin his lines, but it is a disapointment since he has such a nice natural tone.
As for the DVD, the picture and audio quality are superb. However, there are no special features. It's the only edition out right now, and probably will be the only one out ever. Still, the film makes up for any lacking in extras.
Movie Review: What a cast!
Summary: 4 Stars
First off, there's Jack as the male lead (he also directed). But then you also got John Belushi in his movie debut (lot of people don't know this), Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen in HER movie debut, Ed Begley Jr., Danny DeVito, Vernonica Cartwright, and some strong actors in other supporting roles--Tracey Walter and R.L. Armstrong. It's a lot of fun to see Belushi and DeVito do their thing here, and Jack is also a lot of fun to watch.
This 1978 film is an interesting companion piece to his other Western done around the same time, The Missouri Breaks, a much more serious film. Goin' South has some punchy comedy stuff in it, thanks to the Mary Steenburgen character's on-again, off-again "romance" with her newly chosen husband, Jack--whom she marries just so he'll help her get the gold out of a mine on her land. Connubial bliss is far from her thoughts, in fact.
The swinging back and forth between Jack and Mary hitting it off and at real odds with each other is further compounded by the two ornery deputies in town, played by Christopher Lloyd and John Belushi (a Mexican converted to American deputy status--don't ask), AND by Jack's former gang--Danny DeVito, Vernoica Cartwright, Tracey Walter, and another guy--and this back and forth also keeps the movie swingin' away at comic situations. An especially funny scene has the outlaws and the two deputies shooting at each other over a short roof.
The ending is kind of abrupt, but bearing in mind this was the 70s when the movie was made--and that the director was Jack himself--it's OK, or even better than OK. The parallels to The Missouri Breaks are found in Jack's attraction to a strong-willed woman, his involvement (former or current) with a gang, a Western setting, and a connection--good, bad, or indifferent--to a wealthy man (landowner or railroad representative).
While The Missouri Breaks is a much stronger film--not the least reason for which is the presence of the amazing Marlon Brando in it--Goin' South has a lot of goofy charm and is definitely worth seeing.