Directed by:
Jerry SchatzbergScreenplay:
Garry Michael WhiteCinematography:
Vilmos ZsigmondComposer:
Fred MyrowCast:
Gene Hackman, Al Pacino, Dorothy Tristan, Ann Wedgeworth, Richard Lynch, Eileen Brennan, Rutanya Alda, Penelope Allen, Audrianne Waters, Karen Lamm (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Opening on a desolate highway, two drifters stumble into each other, and decide to hitchhike together across the country. Max (Gene Hackman), just released from prison, wants more than anything to own a car wash in Pittsburgh, staying out of trouble and living his life as an honest man. Lion (Al Pacino), who has returned from working at sea, dreams of reuniting with the wife and daughter he left behind years ago in Detroit. Embarking on their strange, confused journey, the dusty pair encounters a cast of peculiar characters as they struggle to reach their destinations (including a stop-off at Hackman's sister's house in Colorado). In the end, after beginning to accept the truth--that their dreams are not going to come to fruition--they find friendship, trust, and love, giving their lives justification. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (4)
They were away for a long time and now they’ve come back. To a world that has lost interest in them. Scarecrow is a slow, conventionally directed drama, of the kind that was made in the late 1960s and early ’70s, when Hollywood began to take interest in actual events happening “out there” (e.g. The Rain People, Midnight Cowboy, Five Easy Pieces). It is appealing primarily due to the two up-and-coming lead actors, both of whom were fresh off playing their breakthrough roles (The French Connection and The Godfather, respectively) and yet they took part in this modest but rewarding project. After the financial failure of Scarecrow, Hackman announced that he would henceforth focus on commercial projects. Pacino probably never said any such thing, but it’s clear from his filmography that he took the same path. 75%
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An excellent drama about friendship with the great Al Pacino and Gene Hackman. Relaxed pace in the beginning, making one think that life can be nice after all, is replaced in the middle by harsh reality, which, by the end, almost crushes you, mainly due to the performances of the two protagonists. I'd like to believe they eventually opened the carwash.
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A very decent road movie in all respects. If that is not enough to lure you in, then young Al Pacino and Gene Hackman should. Their acting performances were great and overall I liked that the film had such a nice relaxed atmosphere. Even though it doesn’t look like it at all in the beginning.
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Schatzberg's film tries to follow in the footsteps of Midnight Cowboy and focuses on two outsiders on the fringes of society and the city, but something is off. In my opinion, the dramatic aspect of the story doesn't work as it should because I watched the movie at 10 in the morning and couldn't avoid having mini naps, especially in the first half. Those familiar with Schatzberg's work can't expect a fast pace, but I wouldn't blame Scarecrow for its tempo. It's more the story itself and its events that are lacking, and perhaps I was missing a strong musical motif like "Everybody's Talking at Me." I have no issue with Hackman and Al Pacino's performances, yet my overall impression is average, around 55%. However, I do like the choice of the theme. Not many films having this topic are made in the United States.
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Gallery (45)
Photo © Warner-Columbia
![Scarecrow - Lobby Cards](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/162/803/162803301_747849.jpg)
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