
Clint's comedy is a classic!
Review created: 04/05/08(updated 04/06/08)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Most people would think that the idea of raspy voiced Clint Eastwood making a comedy would be absurd, but add in an orangutan & you have a side splitting romp about love & bare knuckle fighting! Clint stars as Philo Beddoe a tough as nails bare knuckle fighter who runs a salvage yard with his brother Orville, his crotchety mother & his pet orangutan Clyde. One night at a local saloon, Philo falls for hard luck country singer Lynn Halsey-Taylor who charms him with a tale of woe concerning her manager/boyfriend. Philo offers to intervene, but before he can, Lynn & manager skip town. Certain that she is being forced, Philo takes off in pursuit with Clyde & Orville. Before they do, they run afoul of aged motorcycle gang The Black Widows who pursue Philo & provide many humorous confrontations. Philo is also pursued by 2 off duty cops determined to avenge a wrong committed upon them by Philo. They fair no better than The Black Widows do with hilarious results. During all this, Philo engages in a few fights in his mutual quest to take on the legendary bare knuckle champion Tank Murdock. Philo's pursuit of both Murdock & Lynn do not turn out as he planned or wanted. The film features many very realistic fight scenes.
The supporting cast is excellent! Veteran character actor Geoffrey Lewis plays Philo's brother Orville & is the straight man through this romp. Long time tough guy Aldo Ray stars as the leader of The Black Widows & proves to be fantastic as the suffering leader of this inept group of supposed ruffians. National Lampoon's Vacation series veteran Beverly D'Angelo shows up mid way through as Orville's love interest. Ruth Gordon is unbelievable as Philo's mom. "Ma" is a long suffering helpless woman, in her own mind, who proves to be anything but. And then there is Clyde who stands out as the true star of this film. Clyde sets up more quick gags & is the true comic genius of this film! Finishing the cast out is Sondra Locke, Clint's real life love interest at the time. Locke is beautiful as the conniving Halsey-Taylor & even sings her own songs.
The sound track is filled with great country music & even includes on screen performances by Charlie Rich & Mel Tillis as well as Locke.
This is a wonderful film for fans of comedies, romantic comedies, fight films & country themed films! I highly recommend it & know you will enjoy it! However, language, gestures & violence both real & comedic do not make this film for everybody, so bear this in mind when renting or buying.
Review ID: 10000000006516510

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