Badlands (1973)

In my last review, I noted that Hollywood has produced some wonderful cult films about young, lawless folks on the run.

In Love and a .45, I commented on Renee Zellweger in a very early "bad girl" role.  Remember Thelma and Louise?  Gina Davis and Susan Sarandon wowed viewers with their cross-country escapades.  Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis dazzled us with Natural Born Killers.  Who can forget their crazy journey across rural America?  Of course, don't forget about Bonnie and Clyde...with the fantastic acting of Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.

Amid the great films about felonious types in souped up cars one step ahead of the cops, a little known winner was the 1973 film Badlands.  It is right up there with the other kids-on-the-run gems.

Check out Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek in the pictures above!  Aren't they young?  They were up and coming actors when they did this chase film.  Martin had not yet done his famous Apocalypse Now.  And Sissy had not yet done Carrie.

No plot spoiler, but here is a hint:  As usual, the kids fall in love and their love is forbidden by the powers that be.  Hey, don't blame Sissy's onscreen dad, played by Warren Oates.  If the local bad boy, who could not keep a job, carried a pistol, and wooed your teenager dropped by, wouldn't you tell him to scram?

Of course the dad does.  And that's when things go mighty awry!

As in all the chase films, there is murder and mayhem galore.  But as usual, we are entranced by the amoral, wayward kids on the lam.  He's a real bum, and not too likable.  She's rather innocent, yet totally devoid of any understanding of right from wrong.

The scenery:  It's remarkable.  You follow the kids in their cadillac as they race across the Montana plains toward Canada, where they hope to find freedom.  You see the dust kicking up from behind their car as they traverse deserts and back roads, committing all kinds of felonies!

If you like the chase film genre, you'll love Badlands.  You'll also see why both Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek emerged as top level actors.

Buckle up.  It's a wild ride!