A slight but amusing second rate comedy, not quite the low points it could have been for veteran actor Henry Fonda had he not had the support of a great cast including Eileen Brennan as his love interest (a roadhouse madam), Susan Sarandon and Valarie Curtin (as two of her girls), John Byner (as a religiously obsessed hotchhiker) and Dub Taylor (as a small town sheriff), and plenty of wacky situations. Fonda plays a truck driver dealing with a terminal illness, determined to get one good ride in before he makes that final journey, dealing with his truck having been taken away due to debts. But that's a minor plot, as the bulk of the film deals with him and Byner aiding Brennan in getting her girls to their new home in South Carolina.
Certainly not the classiest of comedies, but up there with some of Burt and Clint's trucking comedies as far as entertainment is concerned. Other familiar faces in the large ensemble include Austin Pendleton, Gary Sandy and Melanie Mayron. Sarandon, not quite the big star yet (even after "Rocky Horror") does make a nice impression with her limited role, and it was odd to see her name pop up twice in the credits, first as a member of the supporting cast, and later as one of the producers. Brennan is always a treat, her big hearted character a delight, and Byner gets to be eccentric and weird without being obnoxious. Fonda may have just walked through his part, but it is hardly noticeable as Jr fakes enthusiasm pretty good. Not up there with his many classics (including one yet to come), but still fun.
Certainly not the classiest of comedies, but up there with some of Burt and Clint's trucking comedies as far as entertainment is concerned. Other familiar faces in the large ensemble include Austin Pendleton, Gary Sandy and Melanie Mayron. Sarandon, not quite the big star yet (even after "Rocky Horror") does make a nice impression with her limited role, and it was odd to see her name pop up twice in the credits, first as a member of the supporting cast, and later as one of the producers. Brennan is always a treat, her big hearted character a delight, and Byner gets to be eccentric and weird without being obnoxious. Fonda may have just walked through his part, but it is hardly noticeable as Jr fakes enthusiasm pretty good. Not up there with his many classics (including one yet to come), but still fun.