Mr Lucky-2

I saw this film 28 years ago, and it stuck hard with me. Because of the era of presentation, and the relative obscurity of Peter Fonda, (even though he had directed/stared "Easy Rider" 2 years earlier) I had thought it was a made for TV movie. I called a radio talk show guest with a heavy movie background in '96, who remembered it, but that was all. I was amazed when I found it on the IMDB.

I loved the music. The plot, (28 year old memory), two very loyal friends travel the West, (lots of Easy Rider in here). Peter Fonda's character, has haunted memories of an abandoned wife and child and feels drawn to return. His loyal friend, (Warren Oates), stoicly indulges Fonda's ambivalent jounery home, where they both encounter anger and resentment. Oates finally leaves when he realizes Fonda sincerely wants to give up the wild life and be a father to his child. Fonda eventually discovers his friend has run afoul of an old enemy bent on revenge on both men. Fonda is torn between abandoning his newly re-found responsibilities or saving his friend. Shocking ending which I will not give away. This movie could be very valuable for fathers to see with their sons. So many subtle lessons to be absorbed here. Thank you Peter Fonda for all the image lessons of life who have portrayed in so many works. Would love to get my hands on the video.

In 1968, I remember the venomous remarks from viewers of the movie "2001 a Space Oyessey". What was odd was the anger of those movie-goers who didn't "get" the storyline. Time has proven what a prescient, stunning film that was 31 years ago, Incredible! 31 years! And now, those just born will not only be stepping into that movie, but beyond it.

Those same type reactions arise when someone gives us a dangerous vision of what could be that alters our mental map of civilization. I see the same reactions to Waterworld. For all the bright Hawiian sun it was filmed under, this was a very, very dark story.

This was not a perfect movie. Parts are ingenious, and parts are ludicrous. The water scenes with the Trimeran were wonderful, and the floating colonies were somewhat believable. Then just as Costner established that we were going to see something never seen before, with an important message, he turned the whole movie into a car chase.

One reality check for Costner was, don't use the Pacific Ocean as a movie lot because you will run out of money before the Pacific runs out of storms. Also, Costner really irritated fans with off camera romantic dalliances that destroyed their image of his clean cut character.

I'm glad it was made. It's important. Who knows, in 31 more years......beware!