I anticipated the "surprise" finish, which has been reproduced in other films to better effect. What a slow-moving, tedious slog. This is only for people who really like long, long setups. Play a card game, dodge a bullet. Run a wire store, dodge more bullets. The only time I as entertained was in the first 10 minutes. As to the script, what's in it? Not a single comedic line, not a single bit of physical or situational humor, not a single memorable quote. Robert Redford's stylishly tousled golden hair never lets us forget that this is the 70s, not the 30s. As for a caper flick, Redford's "Sneakers" was snappier and funnier.
This comes across as a vanity vehicle for the star power of Redford and Newman. I'm not sorry I watched it, but now that I have I can forget it. I'm not a huge fan of either actor, so I had not bothered to see it in theatres, and I sure didn't miss anything. "American Graffiti," a sharper, funnier, more affecting, and overall IMMENSELY better film, should have won the Oscar. This film is a crashing bore.
This comes across as a vanity vehicle for the star power of Redford and Newman. I'm not sorry I watched it, but now that I have I can forget it. I'm not a huge fan of either actor, so I had not bothered to see it in theatres, and I sure didn't miss anything. "American Graffiti," a sharper, funnier, more affecting, and overall IMMENSELY better film, should have won the Oscar. This film is a crashing bore.