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Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 4/25

SmokeyB
4/25: If Deliverance is Burt Reynolds' best film, then Smokey and the Bandit is his most popular.

Made for $4.3 million, it grossed $127 million, finishing number two at the box office in 1977 just behind Star Wars. Impressive. Even the Universal Studios had no faith from the outset. So, why did Smokey and the Bandit work? It's fun to watch! Hal Heedham will direct more similiar films starring Burt Reynolds such as The Cannonball Run and Stroker Ace, but this is the best of his career.

Sure, the story is frightfully simple: transport 400 cases of Coors beer from Texarkana, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia, in 28 hours. That's it. The rest is filled with action and improvisation. I never got into Gone in 60 Seconds by H.B. Halicki because it couldn't be just cars. He needed characters, dialogue, and skillful editing. Added to the mix is the Pontiac Trans Am and the use of CB radio which were made immensely popular afterwards. Everything was shot on location in Georgia.

Burt Reynolds and Sally Field have terrific chemistry. The former is iconic, and the latter is tolerable by letting her hair down for once although she looks stupid when smoking cigarettes. Jerry Reed is excellent as Burt Reynolds' sidekick and did the theme song. The best performance of the show is undoubtedly given by Jackie Gleason who could've earned an Oscar nomination. He's a really funny guy.

All in all, If there's a film equivalent to anthem song for the South, Smokey and the Bandit should be it.