In Los Angeles, Max Dembo (Dustin Hoffman) is released from prison on parole reporting to strict parole officer Earl (M. Emmet Walsh). He's trying to go straight after a lifetime of thieving. At the employment agency, Jenny Mercer (Theresa Russell) gets him factory work. They go out on a date. Then Earl sends him back to jail. Blood test proves that he's clean and he's released. Earl picks him up to drive him to the halfway house. He hits Earl and escapes. With no way to go straight, he returns to his criminal past.
Dustin Hoffman started as the director but had to hire Ulu Grosbard to take over. It allows to concentrate more on the acting. It does meander for the first half. It's a slow jog with some tense action later on. The directing is functional. It does have some interesting acting talents beside Hoffman. Theresa Russell is a fresh-faced newbie in this. A little tighter would make this even better.
Dustin Hoffman started as the director but had to hire Ulu Grosbard to take over. It allows to concentrate more on the acting. It does meander for the first half. It's a slow jog with some tense action later on. The directing is functional. It does have some interesting acting talents beside Hoffman. Theresa Russell is a fresh-faced newbie in this. A little tighter would make this even better.