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The Whole Shootin' Match

Play trailer The Whole Shootin' Match Released Mar 19, 1978 1h 41m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Lloyd (Lou Perry) and Frank (Sonny Carl Davis), two lifelong friends and self-styled entrepreneurs in Austin, try to find the get-rich-quick scheme that will actually get them rich. Lloyd has developed a new invention that he's sure will finally lead to the success he and Frank have been chasing their whole lives. Their golden ticket is a combination mop, vacuum cleaner and floor polisher, but before prosperity arrives, reality intrudes on their plans.

Critics Reviews

View All (6) Critics Reviews
Vincent Canby New York Times A loving, indulgent, funny, very casual movie about the ups and downs of a couple of innocent, self-defeating American clowns. Apr 2, 2020 Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Like his hero John Ford, Pennell understands how much self-doubt lies beneath the rituals of manhood. Apr 2, 2020 Full Review Richard Brody The New Yorker Even Pennell's indoor scenes feel as spacious as landscapes, rooting his characters firmly in the places they inhabit. Apr 2, 2020 Full Review TV Guide Staff TV Guide Though technically this is not a great film, it is rich in characterizations and warmth. Rated: 3/5 Apr 2, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (8) audience reviews
Audience Member Nails the blue-collar persona without condescension, is an interesting portrait of Austin in the '70s, but above all is an impeccable character study of two resilient friends who overcome despair despite everything pointing towards it. Great film. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Enter the world of two lovable natural born losers, Frank and Lloyd and follow them through the hatching of numerous schemes designed to raise their status in life, and laugh as the schemes inevitably fail. What makes this film so great is that it stays true to life without being boring. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member You probably have never have heard of it, but this little gem has had a decisive influence on American independent film of the past 30 years. Priceless. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member More fresh and unexpected than truly good but I was happy to be introduced to "regional independent American cinema". This story of two friends struggling their way to the next beer, the next girl and the next dollar that will pay the rent or buy a bike for the son made me think a lot about Monte Hellman. Pennell is interested in the unsung comical heroes that are the backbone of rural America. The two main characters drift through life in a fashion that a critics branded "Texistentialism". The camera work is pleasant enough ans often very interesting, the story is often highly humorous but gets at times a bit too long. Overall, I'd say it is a must see for whoever is interested in independent US cinema. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the most unpretensiously great movies I've ever seen. Each line of dialogue, each gesture, and each scene rings totally true to life while also being constructed and implemented with a brilliant sense of artistic economy. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Laconic whimsy before a backdrop of alcoholism and poverty? Yes. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Whole Shootin' Match

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The Whole Shootin' Match

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Movie Info

Synopsis Lloyd (Lou Perry) and Frank (Sonny Carl Davis), two lifelong friends and self-styled entrepreneurs in Austin, try to find the get-rich-quick scheme that will actually get them rich. Lloyd has developed a new invention that he's sure will finally lead to the success he and Frank have been chasing their whole lives. Their golden ticket is a combination mop, vacuum cleaner and floor polisher, but before prosperity arrives, reality intrudes on their plans.
Director
Eagle Pennell
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 19, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 17, 2020
Runtime
1h 41m