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Smokey and the Bandit (1977)


Smokey and the Bandit (1977)


5/10


Starring

Burt Reynolds

Sally Field

Jerry Reed

Jackie Gleason

 

 

Directed by Hal Needham


The movie starts strong, pulling us into the premise of two men attempting to transport alcohol from one state to another within a tight deadline. The duo consists of Bandit (Burt Reynolds) and his sidekick Snowman (Jerry Reed). They’re approached by a wealthy Texan and his son to bootleg 400 cases of beer for a party, with a 28-hour window to complete the task.

This initial setup promises suspense, but that tension is quickly buried under a cloud of dust, endless car chases, and distractions that make the time element feel irrelevant. To make matters worse, the movie doesn’t clearly establish when the clock starts or how much time remains, which further diminishes any sense of urgency. Here is a movie I believe was done to please the people who love to see Burt Reynolds on TV in an action role.

Once the two set off to pocket $80,000 for the job, they have a straightforward plan: Snowman would drive the truck while Bandit, in a sleek black Pontiac Trans Am, distracts the cops to keep the truck speeding undetected. However, the plan veers off course when Bandit picks up Carrie (Sally Field), a runaway bride in a wedding dress.

Carrie’s presence drags Bandit into a personal feud with Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason), who, along with his dim-witted son, is chasing her across state lines. The Sheriff’s relentless pursuit becomes the movie’s focal point, turning the plot into a series of increasingly over-the-top car chases. Meanwhile, Bandit continues to draw police attention away from the truck, ensuring Snowman stays on track.

The comedy is entertaining at first but eventually loses its charm as it recycles the same scenarios: Bandit narrowly escaping the cops with help from other truckers. The repetition makes the humor feel predictable after a while.

Despite its flaws, the movie has enough energy to keep you entertained. It’s evident this was a B-movie concept stretched to mainstream success, with car chases and stunts taking center stage while the story takes a backseat. The action is often unrealistic, and the plot lacks substance, but it still delivers a fun, mindless ride.

The film was a massive box office hit, grossing over 60 times its production cost, though its sequels never lived up to the original’s charm.

I’m glad I can tick this movie off my list, even if I don’t fully understand why it’s so highly rated.

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