Two Texas blue collar buddies reach for the brass ring but continually come up empty

tordiway

Upon director Pennell's death last year (2002)the news media reported that Robert Redford credited this film as his inspiration for creating the Sundance Institute.  An affectionate and often funny look at two losers who nevertheless refuse to give up on their dreams of striking it rich. Pennell and cast shot this on weekends using short ends b&w film stock and borrowed equipment.  Everybody worked for free, including Pennell's brother who provided the guitar soundtrack.  Film was a minor sensation on the festival circuit - Pennell followed it across the USA and Europe and was offered work in LA as a result though things did not turn out as everybody had hoped. Leads Sonny Carl Davis and Lou Perry (Perryman) moved to LA immediately afterwards and have worked playing character parts / small parts ever since. Prints have been unavailable for many years now.

score /10

tordiway 20 March 2003

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0612410/