I remember turning on the TV and seeing the ending of Thunderbolt And Lightfoot (1974) when I was young. I’d already accidentally spoiled it for myself but thought it was about time to get a sense of the whole thing. Clint Eastwood gave Michael Cimino a shot at directing his first film after having written on the script of Magnum Force and writing the screenplay of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, which takes the doomed dreamer road movie vibes of Easy Rider and Midnight Cowboy, taking that counter-culture wonder/wander and retooling it for a buddy action-comedy. A young Jeff Bridges walks into his first scene wearing leather pants and a grin – he’s “the kid” or the film’s youthful energy, a car thief and free spirit who crosses paths with Eastwood’s older career criminal on the run from old associates out for blood. The first half is a good old boy ramble as the duo drive cross country in pale, broad 1970s shirts and get to know each other. The second half is a small town heist in Montana with villain George Kennedy and comic relief Geoffrey Lewis in on the action. Bridges received a Supporting Oscar nomination and he walks away with the film (apparently much to the chagrin of Eastwood), and the joy of the film is watching Bridges work his charisma on the taciturn Eastwood to the point that when Clint does finally crack a smile and loosen up (the scene in the car with the animal droppings), its quite the heist itself. Plenty of great character actors in support including a young Gary Busey, and not only William McKinney (from Deliverance) but also Burton Gilliam (from Blazing Saddles)! I also loved Cimino’s preference for dialogue scenes where the characters might be at a distance from the camera, but we hear their discussion close on the sound mix, and things play out in one shot (such as their discussion on the back of a mail boat). A solid and enjoyable buddy caper picture with Eastwood dabbling in a bit of the doomed hippie 1970s downer vibe. Paul Williams also contributes an original theme song (‘Where Do I Go From Here?”). Available to stream on Stan. Recommended.
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