Goin' South

Buy This Item Goin' South by Paramount  Available from Amazon  $9.98  on 9-21-2008     Nicholson directed and starred in this Western spoof about an outlaw who is saved from hanging by a young widow (Mary Steenburgen) who puts him to work as an indentured servant. She has a gold mine that no one knows about and she wants him to help her get the gold before anyone else finds out. But, of course, his old gang--who gave him up to the law in the first place--finds out about the mine and wants a piece of it. This was filmed in the late 1970s, when drug use was rampant (and not particularly frowned upon) in Hollywood; keep that in mind when you listen to Nicholson's stuffy-nose delivery. Alternately amusing and flat, with a cast that includes Steenburgen in her first movie role and John Belushi in a tiny part as a member of the gang, also making his film debut. <I>--Marshall Fine</I> Reader Reviews I saw this flick on HBO when I was in high school many, many years ago. Jack Nicholson directs as well as stars in this vehicle. I purchased this film because I vaguely recalled a humorous scene where Nicholson voraciously downs half a chicken and then leeringly implores Mary Steenbergen for some dessert. Unfortunately, I didn't recall the rest of the movie in which Nicholson overacts a great deal and seems to be presenting himself as Charles Manson with a sense of humor. My mistake for buying this hamfest. Don't get me wrong; I love Jack Nicholson; I've been a fan of his for years; but, like many actors, he needs a strong director to rein him in to prevent him from doing what he does in this movie, which is overplaying and hamming it up and mugging for the camera. The movie is actually boring and even tedious at times. There are glimpses of the Nicholson sly sense of humor, but overall I should have spent my money on something more gratifying, like a tuna fish sandwich. Needless to say, I was disappointed with this movie. Oh, well; you can't win 'em all. And, I'm sorry to say that I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but the most avid Nicholson fan who wants to own all of Jack's films that are out on DVD. Aside from historical worth and a chance to see a younger, preening, leering, full of himself, salacious, hooting and hollering Jack, I would keep my money if I were you. Sorry, Jack. You're great; but you over did it in this one. For the record, Mary Steenbergen is quite good in her usual underplaying, subtle, and quietly sensuous way. I love her face and never tire of seeing it on screen. There's something about her that you can't help but adore. John Belushi is also good in a small part as one of the employed thugs of the law. Christopher Lloyd is good too as a lawman in a part that precedes his "Doc Brown" days from "Back To The Future." The sets are realistic and the terrain is wild and rustic. The movie is also put together fairly well. But, like I stated previously, there is just too much Jack; Jack all over the place. The movie might have turned out better had his character been hanged in the beginning of the film instead of being rescued by an opportunistic Miss Steenbergen.

Goin' South Available from Amazon Price: $9.98 Updated on 9-21-2008.

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