Hooper (1978)

Burt Reynolds Film Fest Movie #6

Synopsis: Aging stuntman learns the hard way that landing on his spine 300 times isn't such a hot idea. 

Blurb From the DVD Jacket: "Sally Field teams with Reynolds in Hooper, the affectionate and much-admired salute to movie stunt people. When the boss says jump...Hooper says how far down?"

 

What Did I Learn?: Apparently, Hollywood had a very relaxed attitude towards drinking and driving three decades ago.

 

You Might Like This Movie If: You really want to see Hooper take some abuse.

 

Really?: 1) See "What Did I Learn?" 2) Yeah - punching out the Director is a great way to ensure he'll pay you in a timely fashion for the big stunt that almost killed you. 3) Yup... there's nothing like a furniture-smashing, wreck-the-place barroom brawl to bring stuntmen and SWAT team members together, is there? Gee - it's a good thing you can't get seriously hurt from being knocked unconscious! Still, I have to wonder how Hooper and his buddies can return to the same watering hole a week later, and get welcomed with open arms.

 

Rating: Hooper is definitely the best of the three films that were included by Warner Brothers in a special Burt Reynolds DVD Triple Feature. Packed with a LOT of impressive stunts (no surprise, considering the protagonist takes falls for a living), the film possesses an amiable good humour, and it never takes itself too seriously. Mind you, that's also the movie's biggest weakness; everything turns into a big joke, there aren't any consequences for bad decisions, and Hooper's health issues (to say nothing of his relationship with Field) are more-or-less glossed over. Not bad for an evening's entertainment. 7/10 stars.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077696/?ref_=nv_sr_3