Joseph Ruben, the future director of such fine entertainments as "Dreamscape" and "The Stepfather", made his writing / directing debut with this appealing, quiet, deliberately paced exploitation drama. John Savage stars as Robert Strong, an earnest but very naive young man who returns home after a period of exploring America. In no time he hooks up with Joanna (Anne Saxon), the title character, who is estranged from his brother Edward (Will MacMillan). Will is a failed writer who now engages in illegal activities to make a buck. Robert *also* hooks up with Edwards' sweet new girlfriend Deborah (Meridith Baer), and makes some fateful decisions when he agrees to do a favour for Edward.
This is not your typical drive-in flick. Ruben is aware of some of the requirements of the genre, so there's some delectable nudity from the attractive Ms. Saxon, and a fair serving of sex. But the title fools you into thinking this is mostly about Joanna, when in fact it's basically Roberts' story. It's an appealing, emotionally affecting tale of sibling rivalry and family ties. Some people may be put off a little by how naive, and somewhat senseless, Robert is, but the cast truly is something special. This is much better acted than a lot of exploitation fare. Savage does well in the lead, and he also composed the score and sings a handful of folk ballads very nicely. MacMillan is superb as the more jaded, cynical older brother who's more aware of the harsh realities of the world. Both Saxon and Baer are endearing as well as being fine eye candy. Frank Scioscia is good in the supporting role of mobster Benjo.
The Leonard Maltin review insists that the movie is really hurt by its downbeat ending, but this viewer wasn't too put off. That kind of thing was really common in the 1970s, and lends a certain sad poignancy to the overall impact of the material.
Seven out of 10.
This is not your typical drive-in flick. Ruben is aware of some of the requirements of the genre, so there's some delectable nudity from the attractive Ms. Saxon, and a fair serving of sex. But the title fools you into thinking this is mostly about Joanna, when in fact it's basically Roberts' story. It's an appealing, emotionally affecting tale of sibling rivalry and family ties. Some people may be put off a little by how naive, and somewhat senseless, Robert is, but the cast truly is something special. This is much better acted than a lot of exploitation fare. Savage does well in the lead, and he also composed the score and sings a handful of folk ballads very nicely. MacMillan is superb as the more jaded, cynical older brother who's more aware of the harsh realities of the world. Both Saxon and Baer are endearing as well as being fine eye candy. Frank Scioscia is good in the supporting role of mobster Benjo.
The Leonard Maltin review insists that the movie is really hurt by its downbeat ending, but this viewer wasn't too put off. That kind of thing was really common in the 1970s, and lends a certain sad poignancy to the overall impact of the material.
Seven out of 10.