Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
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Smokey and the Bandit Movie Review
Smokey and the Bandit is a 1977 action comedy film directed by Hal Needham and starring Burt Reynolds and Sally Field. It’s such an infectiously fun, inherently charming flick.
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“Give me a Diablo sandwich,
a Dr. Pepper, and make it quick,
I’m in a god-damn hurry“
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It’s an action comedy. It’s frenetically paced throughout. It’s about cars. It features countless car chases and car wrecks. It’s shallow and thinly plotted. Yet, despite the fact that I really dislike all of the aforementioned descriptors, I still ended up really enjoying this famous early blockbuster simply because it’s so undeniably charming and somehow hugely entertaining.
Its plot is nothing to write home about and almost non-existent. The movie is frankly stupid, thematically empty and also very much a product of its time. But as I said above, its energy could not be denied. The action is very well executed and the car wrecks are overly abundant, but quite funny too. The charm is infectious and the movie is surprisingly strong as a romance too.
It’s actually pretty much a romance film as well as an action comedy because it heavily relies on the relationship between Bandit and Frog and they’re so wonderful together that I was quite invested in their relationship and I loved every second of it. Some of their interactions are so cute and amusing.
Burt Reynolds was so well cast here and he plays such a stereotypical redneck character, but who’s still very charismatic and always fun. Sally Field, though, steals the show in terms of the acting as she’s immensely endearing here. Beautiful, lovely, yet also fun and modern, I really loved her and her character. Jackie Gleason himself is fantastic as the sheriff and I loved their constant chase. The others serve their purpose, but are less impactful.
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Smokey and the Bandit has an obvious, very stereotypical Southern soundtrack, but it works in the context of the movie as it made those car chases even more enjoyable. The cinematography is also quite good and the film is pretty well paced and so well edited of course. The humor is terrific and I laughed quite a number of times. I loved all of the conversations in the car, a couple of wrecks are fun and of course that ending is unforgettable. It’s obvious how this was a major blockbuster in its year and although obviously a product of its time, it’s even more enjoyable for me in the context of a time capsule.
Smokey and the Bandit is frenetically paced, filled with car chase and wreck after car chase and wreck plus it’s immensely thinly plotted and shallow. Nonetheless, against all odds, I ended up enjoying it tremendously as its charm is infectious, its entertainment factor is very high and the movie is such a funny, memorable action comedy while being a terrific romance in its own right with wonderful turns from both Burt Reynolds and Sally Field.
