The Hot Rock
I have to admit this film surprised me a little. Based on the title, and the fact that it stars Robert Redford (an actor not known for comedy roles), I was expecting a serious heist thriller. It was a heist film alright, but it was more of a comedic caper, albeit a deadpan one, than an edge-of your seat thriller. Redford, just out of prison, is recruited by a friend to put together a team (Ocean’s 11 style) to steal a diamond for a foreign government. To avoid spoilers, let’s just say things don’t go as planned. While this is by no means must-see stuff, it’s fun to watch. If you like the offbeat crime films of say the Coen Brothers, which rely as much on quirky characters and farcical situations more than outright jokes, The Hot Rock might be worth digging up.
Fat City
At the other pole we have the late era John Huston film Fat City. Fat City is a boxing film that takes place mostly in Stockton, California, and centers on aging boxer Tully (Stacey Keach) and up-and-comer Eddie (Jeff Bridges). The story is a down-and-out look at the American dream that plays like California's equivalent of Midnight Cowboy with fresh faced Bridges in place of Jon Voight, and Keach in place of Dustin Hoffman. Even the soundtrack sounds like Midnight Cowboy. Relentlessly downbeat, but rewarding.
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