Every Which Way But Loose seems like it had some history behind it. Eastwood jumped at the script despite the fact that they originally wanted his pal Burt Reynolds to do it, everyone tried to talk him out of it because at the time it was a far stretch from Eastwood's violent, dark, gloomy screen image and further more when all was said and done previewers said the film would tank but it didn't because it's fun. It was made to be fun, just a romp, a good time and heartfelt and all in all it's not that far of a stretch from Eastwood's image because he still kicks some major butt and shows a softer side for sure.
Clint Eastwood plays Philo Beddoe, a fun loving, crazy guy who happens to have a knack and love for street brawling. Along with his best friend/manager Orville Boggs they take in a good amount on bets including Beddoe's win of a rather large, sarcastic, trouble making Oranguatang named Clyde. Despite popular assumption the film really isn't about Clyde and Beddoe but more just about Beddoe and his cross country trip to find the woman of his dreams while being chased down by some folks he made rather angry...two off duty policeman, and a squad of Motorcycle gang members. Eastwood is good in his role because not only is he his typical tough guy, big screen icon but he has a softness to him, he's having a good time and it just makes it fun. Although you're kind of waiting for him to lose it and pull out a magnum on everyone. Veteran character actor Geoffrey Lewis plays Orville Boggs. He's certainly not as tough as Eastwood and yet they make a great team. Hilariously funny, stealing the show is foul mouth Ma Boggs played by Ruth Gordon. She only has a few scenes but it's downright hilarious. And then of course there is Clyde played by Manis. Manis does what you would expect a decent ape to do to make everyone smile. He certainly has some of the laugh out loud moments but he never steals the show the way you might expect. He's just another part of the whole crew. Sondra Locke plays Eastwood's love interest who he travels cross country to find. She's self centered and seemingly determined to outrun Eastwood and I think he could have done better but he was hooked on her. Beverly D'Angelo plays a small role as Echo, Orville's girl who he picks up from a vegetable stand. They make a cute couple and she has some great scenes.
The fight scenes are plenty, the country music is overwhelming and at the time probably a great soundtrack. It's a country film and the quint essential fist fight, street brawl movie. Eastwood is unstoppable and most of the comedy comes from watching him make fools of his rather foolish enemies along with his buddies. It's an adventure comedy that is worth seeing. It's not depthy, or important, or a real slam bang comedy...it's just fun...and that's why everyone loved it and why it's an Eastwood classic. 7/10
Clint Eastwood plays Philo Beddoe, a fun loving, crazy guy who happens to have a knack and love for street brawling. Along with his best friend/manager Orville Boggs they take in a good amount on bets including Beddoe's win of a rather large, sarcastic, trouble making Oranguatang named Clyde. Despite popular assumption the film really isn't about Clyde and Beddoe but more just about Beddoe and his cross country trip to find the woman of his dreams while being chased down by some folks he made rather angry...two off duty policeman, and a squad of Motorcycle gang members. Eastwood is good in his role because not only is he his typical tough guy, big screen icon but he has a softness to him, he's having a good time and it just makes it fun. Although you're kind of waiting for him to lose it and pull out a magnum on everyone. Veteran character actor Geoffrey Lewis plays Orville Boggs. He's certainly not as tough as Eastwood and yet they make a great team. Hilariously funny, stealing the show is foul mouth Ma Boggs played by Ruth Gordon. She only has a few scenes but it's downright hilarious. And then of course there is Clyde played by Manis. Manis does what you would expect a decent ape to do to make everyone smile. He certainly has some of the laugh out loud moments but he never steals the show the way you might expect. He's just another part of the whole crew. Sondra Locke plays Eastwood's love interest who he travels cross country to find. She's self centered and seemingly determined to outrun Eastwood and I think he could have done better but he was hooked on her. Beverly D'Angelo plays a small role as Echo, Orville's girl who he picks up from a vegetable stand. They make a cute couple and she has some great scenes.
The fight scenes are plenty, the country music is overwhelming and at the time probably a great soundtrack. It's a country film and the quint essential fist fight, street brawl movie. Eastwood is unstoppable and most of the comedy comes from watching him make fools of his rather foolish enemies along with his buddies. It's an adventure comedy that is worth seeing. It's not depthy, or important, or a real slam bang comedy...it's just fun...and that's why everyone loved it and why it's an Eastwood classic. 7/10