After discovering she is pregnant, Long Island housewife Shirley Knight (as Natalie Ravenna) leaves home, in an effort to find herself. Her road trip takes on additional meaning after she picks up brain-damaged football player James Caan (as Jimmy "Killer" Kilgannon), and gets herself picked up by tough cop Robert Duvall (as Gordon); self-admittedly, Ms. Knight is wondering what sex would be like with a man other than her husband. The story does not take full advantage of Knight's obviously fine lead performance...
While riding, Mr. Caan explains, "The rain people are people made of rain, and when they cry they disappear altogether because they cry themselves away." He is referring to himself and Knight. On another level, Caan and Mr. Duval are likely what Knight is running away from - a needy baby and an overbearing husband; well, wherever you go, there you are... Francis Ford Coppola's next directorial effort, co-starring Caan and Duval, was much more successful... a little something called "The Godfather".
***** The Rain People (8/27/69) Francis Ford Coppola ~ Shirley Knight, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Marya Zimmet
While riding, Mr. Caan explains, "The rain people are people made of rain, and when they cry they disappear altogether because they cry themselves away." He is referring to himself and Knight. On another level, Caan and Mr. Duval are likely what Knight is running away from - a needy baby and an overbearing husband; well, wherever you go, there you are... Francis Ford Coppola's next directorial effort, co-starring Caan and Duval, was much more successful... a little something called "The Godfather".
***** The Rain People (8/27/69) Francis Ford Coppola ~ Shirley Knight, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Marya Zimmet