BACK ROADS
US, 1981, 94 minutes, Colour.
Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, David Keith, Dan Shor, M.Emmett Walsh, Michael V.Gazzo.
Directed by Martin Ritt.
Back Roads is a very slight comedy, almost an old-fashioned screwball comedy. It is a big disappointment since it was directed by Martin Ritt, at the end of his career. Ritt had made a great number of excellent serious films including A Man is Ten Feet Tall, Paris Blues, Hud, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. He was also blacklisted in the 50s and this became a subject for the film, The Front, starring Woody Allen.
While every director is allowed to have his light moment, this slight movie also boasts a performance from Sally Field (who won her first Oscar under Ritt's direction for Norma Rae) and Tommy Lee Jones. She portrays a kindly prostitute. He is a boxing loser. As they go on the road to seek better horizons, there are a whole lot of cute and humorous adventures along the way. Audiences who appreciate the stars will enjoy it. It is a very slight and light comedy.
1. An enjoyable social comedy/drama? The tradition of the American road film? The picture of the down-and-outers of the 80s? A film of the 80s - with the sentiment of the American romantic tradition?
2. The work of Martin Ritt and his social comments over decades? With Norma Rae and Sally Field?
3. The use of colour Panavision photography? Use of southern locations? Authentic atmosphere? Sleazy atmospheres? The road? The blend of gloss and realism? Henry Mancini's score?
4. The episodic structure of the film? A reflection of the times, people wandering, relating, mutual dependence? The American dream in the 80s?
5. Amy and the Alabama background? Her work in the bar? Seeing her work as a hooker? Sally Field's presence and style? The pick ups? The encounter with Elmer? Their troubles together? Amy as a type? Stereotype? Love for her son but Elmer warning her off? Their going on the run? Hollywood dream? The manicurist? The stolen money? Flirting with Mason? The rape attack? The rescue? Her bets on Mason and losing the money? The hustling of the drunk? The madam and her warnings? The madam and the money? Decision to return? Preoccupation with her son and writing the letter? The auction? Elmer’s fight? The blend of the serious and the comic? Portrait of an American down and out woman?
6. The comparisons with Elmer: the ex boxer, picking up Amy, two of the saw kind, his violence, the plain clothes man, being on the run? The encounter with Mason? Saving Amy from the rape attempt? Robbing the drunk? Selling his blood? The fight? Love for Amy, concern for her, the night together? His advice about her son? Their future?
7. Mason a pleasant young man, a wanderer, attraction towards Amy, her flirting, his boasting, the pinball competition, losing? His wandering off?
8. The atmosphere of bars, drunks, clients of the prostitutes, the police?
9. The madam and her warnings, her territory? The repercussions on Amy, on Elmer?
10. The build up to the boxing bout? Elmer’s ability? Winning?
11. The atmosphere of carnivals and wanderers on the road? Pinball competitions etc.?
12. The focus of the title, the characters who wander the backroads of society? The wanderers who go together, depending on one another? Meandering in reality and dream and romance?
