Every Which Way but Loose (1978)

When I see a movie such as "Every Which Way but Loose" being given 3, 2 or 1 star that's just some sort of nerd hate I just can't relate to. No, this isn't an Oscar winner or was it even in contention but, it is a fun movie. I could go on and point out all the short-comings thin plot, some down-right infantile gags, cartoonish characters a theme song you won't be able to get out of your head no matter how hard you try (trust me, you want it outta there too!) But that's also the charm of this classic. Every Which Way was not created to make you think, pull at your heart-strings or make you cheer for the underdog. This is just a turn your mind off and enjoy the ride sort of film. It's not particularly violent, profane or gratuitous nor was it when it was made 40yrs ago either.The most objectionable bit of the film is Ma's dirty old lady mouth. Played by Ruth Gordon, Ma steals the show with her potty talk, work with a shot-gun and contempt for Clint Eastwood's Orangutan Clyde. Trying to stay completely un-biased (it's hard 'cuz I sure do have a soft spot for this flick) I'd have to give this movie 4 stars alone just on the strength of her performance. Add a star for Clyde the ape (another fine job there!) and another star for that fantastic infantile humor, cartoon bikers and a movie that allows you to just turn your brain off and enjoy the show.It ain't art but it sure is fun and it's got an orangutan that gives the finger out of a moving pick'em up truck. What's to hate!?

*Review May Contain Spoilers*PLOT: Philo Beddoe, a trucker and brawler, is accompanied by his friend Orville, and his pet orangutan, Clyde to drive across the country in hopes of finding Philoe's love Lynn Halsey-Taylor. Along the way, Philo manages to get an entire biker gang known as the Black Widows and a couple of police officers after him.MY THOUGHTS: This is a Clint Eastwood movie with a different tone and concept of the rest. Its kinda random and sticks out from the others he has done. However, I love this picture. Its so entertaining and funny. The fact that this character ticks off an entire biker gang and police officers and comes out on top at the end is hilarious. Te film pokes fun at the cops and the typical "tough" bikers that people think of and I enjoy it. Beddoe's no care and tough as nails attitude make it funny. He's your average guy.PROS/CONS: I love the fighting and the humour. Its an entertaining picture. But, to some, the country music may become annoying and the love may slow it down. But, the hilarious bikers, Clyde, and the friendship between Orville and Philo make it stay afloat. OVERALL: 8/10

Every Which Way But Loose (1978) * 1/2 (out of 4)Clint Eastwood was great before EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE and he was great after the film so that leaves the movie in some sort of weird Twilight Zone-like state. Perhaps Eastwood just wanted to see what it was like making something really bad but something that crowds would eat up and turn into a hit. In the film he plays a redneck trucker who loves to fight and drink beer with his Orangutan named Clyde. The fighter ends up beating up some cops and a biker gang and as he takes off to find the girl of his dreams (Sondra Locke) he ends up with these morons following him. There are times when I don't like a crowd pleasing film but I can view that film and understand why people like it. That's not the case here because for the life of me I can't see what so many others saw in this picture. Not only is it painfully unfunny but it's also so drawn out that by the forty-minute mark I was ready to hit the eject button but we still had over a hour to go! It really does seem as if the writer was sitting around thinking what funny situations he could put Eastwood in. Lets team him with an ape. Okay, something could have been done with that. Have the two of them drink beer together. Again, perhaps something could be done. Oh yeah, get Eastwood to fight as many people as possible. These elements could have been the start to something but in this movie they're everything and they are just so poorly done that it never works. The entire film is just so long and nothing but the same thing happens over and over. Eastwood appears to be having a good time with it all. Geoffrey Lewis is good as his buddy. Both Locke and Beverly D'Angelo are good in their roles as the love interests. With that said, it's Clyde who gives the best performance. However, with all the fine performances it's still not enough to overcome a silly and bland story.

I was amazed as I sat and watched this film. "Every Which Way But Loose" was the second highest grossing (no pun intended) film of 1978...and yet it's practically plot-less and a completely brainless film. It's not 100% terrible, but it is pretty bad--especially as the film becomes tiresome the longer it goes. But, despite this, because it made so much money (people were apparently VERY easy to please in 1978), they soon made a sequel--which I can pretty much guarantee you I'll never be watching! Clint Eastwood plays a guy who loves to bare knuckle fight. Often he does it to win prize money, often he does it just because someone irritated him. Throughout the film, Eastwood gets in one fight after another--and this tended to disrupt the plot--what little there was of it. Eventually, a group of bikers and off-duty cops who he's beaten up go looking for him. But, since Eastwood has gone on a road trip to find a woman he's smitten with (Sondra Locke), they spend much of the movie looking for him--and they end up going on a road trip after him.The film is absolutely stupid in parts. Clyde the Orangutan was at times a bit funny, but talk about contrived!! Ma (Ruth Gordon) cursed like a sailor and was violent. This was supposed to be funny, but like the ape, it wore thin pretty quickly. In addition, there is the dopey biker gang (sort of like the Three Stooges times three) who just seem too stupid and ineffectual to be anything other than comic relief. There are also fart jokes, belching, punch sound effects that make bad martial arts films seem realistic and the like thrown in to boot. It's really the sort of stuff 13 year-olds love laughing at--but I just thought it was all pretty tiresome and well beneath the talents of Eastwood. Add lots of punching and country music and you pretty much get the point of the film. Fortunately, after wasting his time on this movie (and making a bazillion dollars) he went on to far better things. Geez...I feel stupider just for having watched the film!By the way, during the 'funny' sequence where the two guys are shooting at cans and spouting numbers, watch the can that is hit--you can see the strings pulling it!