Slither (1973)

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

From the title one might suppose that this is a horror movie that has something to do with snakes. It isn't. It is actually a very droll road movie about a search for the stashed proceeds of a crime committed some years earlier. In that sense, it may be compared with "It's a Mad, Mad World". However, while that earlier film represents an homage to the comedy style of the past, "Slither" is more of a preview of the comedy style of the future. In "Slither" the characters and more realistic, the comedy is less obvious, and the entire story seems to delight in going into directions that one would not necessarily expect. In fact, "Slither" seems like a prequel to the sort of movies made by the Coen Brothers such as "The Big Labowski", "Fargo" and "Oh Brother, Where art Thou?".James Can plays a small-time criminal who, along with another guy, has just been released from prison along. When his companion invites him home for a beer to celebrate their freedom he is suddenly shot through the window. The dying ex-con imparts to Caan instructions to recover the loot from his crime, setting in motion a chain of strange encounters and events, not the least of which involves a road trip in a car towing a house trailer. One can only presume that the title "Slither" was derived from the violent motions of the trailer during the course of the inevitable cross-country chase. On the occasion when the musical "Goodbye Mr. Chips" was presented in a command performance to Queen Elizabeth, Sally Kellerman reputedly said remarked that Her Majesty would probably have found "Slither" more entertaining. She was probably right.

Howard Zieff's wonderfully absurd directorial debut casts James Caan as a recent parolee pursuing some stolen loot and running into one kook after another. From a script by W.D. Richter, the film is a series of vignettes, one more ridiculous than the last. It's all played at such a high level of insanity, it's impossible to dislike it. Caan is exceptional, befuddled beyond belief by the likes of Sally Kellerman, Peter Boyle, Allen Garfield and Louise Lasser. Each one of them is bizarrely idiosyncratic: Kellerman is hopped up on goof-balls and runs roughshod over Caan with each interaction; Boyle is so positive and upbeat about everything it's easy to forget what a sleaze he's playing; Lasser, as Boyle's insanely supportive wife, is hysterical. One of the great 70s road movies, now residing in the "where-is-it-now?" file. The cinematography is by the great László Kovács. Alex Rocco, Richard B. Shull are in it too. In her 147th film, 74 year-old Virginia Sale plays a very wry bingo caller.

This is a character driven comedy, drama, crime, mystery that defies definition. Back in the 70's some really fine films were made, and there were some really terrible ones too. But the movie studios were in the mood to make so many films that in the process some totally unique ones that just happened to be good were made. I don't know why this film never got the attention it deserved. When I first saw it in 1973 I have to admit I was under the influence of herbal substances. It was a favorite pastime back then to get a buzz on and see a movie. I thought it was very funny at the time. Seeing it for the second time last night I was delighted to find out that even without mood altering contraband it was every bit as funny as the first time. Now that's saying something.If you love really great character performances this one is full of em. Sally Kellerman appeared to be having the time of her life. It must have been a character actor's wet dream. It does not hurt to have a great script either. Slither had it in spades.This films will keep you guessing the entire time. I don't care how many films you have seen, you will not be able to predict the outcome of this one. But along the way be prepared for some incredibly dark humor that carries you along till the very end.I will make you a bet. There is a bit of an introductory plot outline that shows up before the opening credits. If you can stay with it till then, you will not be able to turn it off. I bet you a big black van that you will finish it."who are those guys anyway?" The fun of finding out is a real pleasure trip.

I had read about this film for years before I actually saw it, and I have to say that when I saw it earlier today, I enjoyed it! Okay, it can be a bit slow in parts but was overall a good picture.SPOILER WARNINGS: James Caan and Richard B. Shull play two newly released cons. After their release, they both head up to Shull's cabin. Not long after their arrival, they are shot at by unseen assailants. In his dying moments, Shull gives Caan the name of a man whom he once worked with and the name of another man, saying that he can find a secret stash of money. Caan escapes the cabin as Shull tries to hurl dynamite at the snipers and ends up blowing the building to kingdom come! And this is all before the opening credits roll!The film then gets going as Caan hits the road to hook up with Peter Boyle, a small-time entertainer, and his wife, an old school-friend of Caan's. Before meeting them, he comes across Sally Kellerman as a hippie-chick type who turns out to be a thief. He ditches her after she holds up a diner, but their paths cross again and she ends up joining them on their quest to find over $3000 which Shull and Boyle had embezzled in the past. They must first find the elusive Vincent Palmer, who had been charged with hiding the loot. So, to this end, they hitch up Boyle's high-class caravan to his car, and begin their road trip.But they are not alone. Since the beginning, Caan has been tailed by a large, black RV with tinted windows, which was parked near Shull's cabin. As time goes by, a second van just like it joins the chase. Caan and his friends speculate on who may be driving these shady vehicles (the wacky Kellerman suggests aliens at one point) but wherever they go, their unknown pursuers are never far behind. At one point, Boyle disappears and the others assume that he has been kidnapped and tortured. When they arrive at a campsite, the RV's occupants are revealed to be a group of sinister, bespectacled men, two of whom Caan has already encountered on his journey. He manages to give them the slip with the help of Kellarman, and the action leads to a final battle on the road between the RVs and Caan's car.The performances in the film are okay, but both the main female characters are underdeveloped. Most of the other characters are just cameos. The music score is very odd, jazz-type music. But the music played when the RVs appear is suitably menacing. The RVs themselves are menacing, and they provide adequate suspense as we wonder who drives them and why they are after Caan and co. The ending is a great twist, which I won't spoil for you. A great, funny and thrilling road movie! I'd give it three stars out of five.