Stay Hungry

R

Released Apr 23, 1976

1 hr. 39 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

67%

15 Reviews

Tomatometer

40%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

A dishonest businessman asks rich layabout Craig Blake (Jeff Bridges) to help him buy a gym, which will be demolished for a development project in Alabama. But after spending time with weightlifter Joe Santo (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and gym worker Mary Tate Farnsworth (Sally Field), Craig wants out of the deal. The property negotiations turn ugly, causing a brawl at the gym and a spectacle at a big bodybuilding meet, as Craig learns that it's not easy to turn your back on fair-weather friends.

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Audience Member

If you want the most out of life you have to stay hungry for more. A young Jeff Bridges and Sally Fields. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger's first feature film before rising to fame via Terminator. Based on the book by Charles Gaines and directed by Bob Ratelson. Craig Blake is from a wealthy family but both his parents are dead. He wants to buy up a gym for a shady firm. It's scheduled to be demolished for a project in Alabama. Joe Santo is an infamous bodybuilder and Mary Tate works there. Blake starts bonding with both of them making him have second thoughts. It turns ugly though as the negotiations go south and a confrontation takes place at a bodybuilding meet. Blake learns it's not as simple to turn on your friends. The actors are so likable, the southern vibe is relaxing, and they revel in the body building sport. The idea of being wealthy isn't all it's cracked up to be especially when things are fine the way they are without succumbing to greed or business strategy advancement. Some people don't like being just comfortable, there's always a need for more. A nice effort about the complex relationships these people work through and the cut-throat business of development.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/23/24

Full Review

Steve D

It is fine but with this cast it should be great.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/11/23

Full Review

Elvis D

Esta película es una historia dramática simple con algunos momentos de comedia que tiene de protagonista a un carismático y divertido Jeff Bridges, bastante pícaro que genera un cierto encanto. Un joven Robert Englund en sus inicios que demuestra ser un buen actor antes de convertirse en un icono del terror y finalmente, Arnold Schwarzenegger en un sus inicios antes de ser una gran estrella de acción. Todos reunidos en esta comedia dramática que no es mucho y puede aburrir, pero al menos ofrece algunos momentos graciosos. Jeff Bridge es lo mejor de la película y lo más entrañable. Mi calificación para esta película es un 8/10.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/12/23

Full Review

delysid d

i am a Jeff Bridges fan but i am always stumped by the movies between thunderbolt and the big lebowski. haven't made it through one yet without being bored, then asleep. things got even worse in the 80s. what happened Jeff Bridges??

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/16/22

Full Review

jon c

If you want the most out of life you have to stay hungry for more. A young Jeff Bridges and Sally Fields. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger's first feature film before rising to fame via Terminator. Based on the book by Charles Gaines and directed by Bob Rafelson. Craig Blake is from a wealthy family but both his parents are dead. He wants to buy up a gym for a shady firm. It's scheduled to be demolished for a project in Alabama. Joe Santo is an infamous bodybuilder and Mary Tate works there. Blake starts bonding with both of them making him have second thoughts. It turns ugly though as the negotiations go south and a confrontation takes place at a bodybuilding meet. Blake learns it's not as simple to turn on your friends. The actors are so likable, the southern vibe is relaxing, and they revel in the body building sport. The idea of being wealthy isn't all it's cracked up to be especially when things are fine the way they are without succumbing to greed or business strategy advancement. Some people don't like being just comfortable, there's always a need for more. A nice effort about the complex relationships these people work through and the cut-throat business of development.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bridges, Field and surprisingly even Schwarzenegger were fun to watch when they were young and vibrant. In an era when movies are more about special effects or any cheap trick to get the ‘wow' factor, it's always refreshing to re-engage with films that show us a human story. This may not have been the deepest, most cerebral plot, but everything about it was thoroughly entertaining and different from anything anyone else was doing, or does now for the most part. Not set in California or Florida or New York, but Birmingham; not too much unnecessary focus or playing up of the villains, eccentric characters all around. And, to boot, ‘Stay Hungry' serves as an (unintentional) window into an era well past us, with families living in the old antebellum home passed down through the generations, black servants, well-attended private country club parties, and a confederate flag on the gym wall. Dixie as it was beginning the move out of the Old South into the New South...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

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Bob Rafelson

Director

Jeff Bridges

Craig Blake

Sally Field

Mary Tate Farnsworth

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Joe Santo

R. G. Armstrong

Thor Erickson

Robert Englund

Franklin

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Stay Hungry: Official Clip - Bodybuilders Unleashed!

2:07

Stay Hungry: Official Clip - Pimping

1:28

Stay Hungry: Official Clip - Homosexuals?

2:12

Stay Hungry: Official Clip - Stay Hungry

1:49

Stay Hungry: Official Clip - One Tough Lady

1:59

Stay Hungry: Official Clip - Making Out with Mary Tate

2:12

Stay Hungry: Official Clip - Mr. Universe

1:40

Stay Hungry: Official Clip - Moonshine & Music

2:12

Stay Hungry: Official Clip - Workout With Joe

2:13

Stay Hungry: Official Clip - No Pain No Gain

1:56

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Variety Staff

Variety

Underneath it all is a lurching and poorly defined film concept.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Nigel Floyd

Time Out

It has its slack spells, but Rafelson's sure feel for the inexpressible subtleties of emotional relationships is evident throughout.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

It is the sort of movie whose vapidity is exposed as soon as the clutter is removed.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 9, 2005

Full Review

John Draver

Philadelphia Gay News

The characters seem to drift from one incident to another without involving the viewer much at all.

May 26, 2020

Full Review

Jacoba Atlas

Los Angeles Free Press

There is nothing predictable about Stay Hunrgry, nothing formula, nothing boring.

Nov 14, 2019

Full Review

Bernard Drew

Gannett News Service

It's difficult to ascertain what Bob Rafelson had in mind (or whether he lost it completely) when he made Stay Hungry.

Oct 23, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

A dishonest businessman asks rich layabout Craig Blake (Jeff Bridges) to help him buy a gym, which will be demolished for a development project in Alabama. But after spending time with weightlifter Joe Santo (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and gym worker Mary Tate Farnsworth (Sally Field), Craig wants out of the deal. The property negotiations turn ugly, causing a brawl at the gym and a spectacle at a big bodybuilding meet, as Craig learns that it's not easy to turn your back on fair-weather friends.

Director: Bob Rafelson
Screenwriter: Charles Gaines, Bob Rafelson
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Outov Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 23, 1976, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008

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