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Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

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by Rob Gonsalves

"Lesser Eastwood, lesser Cimino."

A strong director himself, Clint Eastwood for years was known for giving a boost to young filmmakers by letting them direct him (a more-or-less guaranteed box-office draw) and starting their careers with a bang.

That's what was supposed to happen with Michael Cimino, who'd worked on the script for Magnum Force and made his directorial debut here, but the movie was only a modest success. It's a meandering, mildly entertaining Eastwood vehicle, with Clint as a thief and Jeff Bridges as a happy-go-lucky drifter he picks up.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is good in spots, especially when Bridges is around, but Cimino seems to be preparing for The Deer Hunter. There are luxurious long takes in scenes that don't call for them; the movie could easily be half an hour shorter. Cimino is so into making his images glow that he forgets to make the film move.

Fortunately, Geoffrey Lewis and George Kennedy (who has a nice running gag about his asthma and hay fever) show up as Clint's ex-partners and turn in great little performances. Eastwood is his usual impassive self; the actors around him just about wipe him off the screen. Clint's less emotional performances never work unless the roles are archetypal.

Bridges and Lewis were later seen somewhere in the margins of Cimino's 'Heaven's Gate.'

link directly to this review at http://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=7246&reviewer=416
originally posted: 04/06/07 07:23:31

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User Comments

10/07/16 n kemperman an excellent movie, I enjoy it more every time I watch it - all the actors fit their parts 5 stars

9/23/14 J72DOLPHINS This is my favorite film. Great buddy pic, cool heist, and Kennedy and Bridges are perfect! 5 stars

5/17/14 Carl Bruun Enjoyable movie. The bad guys are likeable, and Lewis and Kennedy are superb. 4 stars

9/21/10 PAUL SHORTT WELL MADE, VIOLENT MELODRAMA 3 stars

8/21/08 Dave Jeff Bridges is simply the best in this movie, and deserved the oscar he was nominated for 5 stars

7/08/08 Robert Was surpised by this movie, its really good. 4 stars

9/28/07 mr.mike enjoyable , good characters 4 stars

3/28/04 Agent Sands Clever heist, pretty good acting, entertaining story. Light & funny for a Cimino film. 4 stars

11/27/03 John somehow Cimino manages to make a pretty boring movie with Clint Eastwood 2 stars

7/22/03 Rose Joslin This is one of my favorite movies. The scene with the crazy guy in the car with the rabbito 5 stars

7/22/03 satan1 stuning characters, soulful music, plot. 5 stars

3/09/03 y2mckay One of my favorite flicks growing up. Excellent heist film with a BIG fuckin' gun! 5 stars

3/08/03 R.W. Welch One of your better buddy flicks, has a nice flair to it and well directed. 4 stars

3/08/03 Jack Sommersby A marvelous, off-beat caper flick. Acting & directing are first-rate. 4 stars

IF YOU'VE SEEN THIS FILM, RATE IT!
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USA 02-Feb-1974 (R) UK N/A Australia N/A

Directed by Michael Cimino Written by Michael Cimino Cast Clint Eastwood Jeff Bridges Geoffrey Lewis Catherine Bach Gary Busey Vic Tayback

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