- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tom Hutchinson
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4 out of 5
Prior to their collaboration on the Oscar-winning Chinatown, star Jack Nicholson and writer Robert Towne worked with director Hal Ashby (Shampoo) on this salty sailor's tale. The Oscar-nominated drama has genuine combustible power as it follows the fortunes of two tough naval petty officers (Nicholson and Otis Young) and the pathetic young criminal (Randy Quaid) that they have to escort to jail. Towne's script consists almost entirely of profanities and justifiably so, considering the characters aren't exactly choirboys. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant, this thoroughly engrossing movie contains one of Nicholson's most memorable roles, which is saying something considering the consistent brilliance of his performances in the early 1970s.
Plot Summary
Drama starring Jack Nicholson, Otis Young and Randy Quaid. While awaiting orders at a naval base in Virginia, two petty officers are assigned the task of accompanying a young sailor convicted of theft to a jail in New Hampshire. At first they are dismayed by their bumbling charge, but as the journey progresses their attitude towards him begins to change.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Billy "Bad Ass" Buddusky
- Jack Nicholson
- "Mule" Mulhall
- Otis Young
- Larry Meadows
- Randy Quaid
- Chief master-at-arms
- Clifton James
- Marine duty officer
- Michael Moriarty
- Young whore
- Carol Kane
- Donna
- Luana Anders
- Kathleen
- Kathleen Miller
- Nancy
- Nancy Allen
- Henry
- Gerry Salsberg
- Bartender
- Don McGovern
- Madame
- Pat Hamilton
- Taxi Driver
- Michael Chapman
- Sweek
- Jim Henshaw
- Nichiren Shoshu Member
- Derek McGrath
- Nichiren Shoshu Member
- Gilda Radner
- Nichiren Shoshu Member
- Jim Horn
- Nichiren Shoshu Member
- John Castellano
Crew
- Director
- Hal Ashby
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