kinospot: Sugarland Express

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Directed by: Steven Spielberg.

Starring: Goldie Hawn (as Lou Jean Poplin), Ben Johnson (as Captain Harlin Tanner), Michael Sacks (as Patrolman Maxwell Slide), William Atherton (as Clovis Michael Poplin), Gregory Walcott (as Patrolman Ernie Mashburn), Steve Kanaly (as Patrolman Jessup), Louise Latham (as Mrs. Looby), Harrison Zanuck (as Baby Langston Poplin), A.L. Camp (as Mr. Alvin T. Nocker), Jessie Lee Fulton (as Mrs. Nocker).

Lou-Jean, a blonde woman, tells her husband, who is imprisoned, to escape. They plan to kidnap their own child, who was placed with foster parents. The escape is partly successful, they take a hostage, who is a policeman and are pursued through to Texas...

Not having seen this film in many years, I was surprised when TCM showed it recently. This film showcases the talent of Steven Spielberg in his early period. It's even more to his credit that he persisted in filming this story, based on a real incident, because he didn't have the recognition back then. Spielberg knew he had a winner in this film and he worked hard in getting a 'star' like Goldie Hawn to agree to be in the movie and thus convincing the executives to let him go ahead.
At heart, this is a story about a mother's love for her son, and to what extent she is willing to go to get him back from the same system that saw her unfit to raise him. Lou Ann might have done things in her past to land her in jail, but her heart is in the right place and if she has to fight in order to get the toddler back, she will do whatever is in her power.
The prison escape is hysterical. Clovis can't believe what Lou Ann makes him do. The film become a road picture when the old couple agrees to give them a ride. When they're stopped for going so slow in the highway, Lou Ann decides to take matters into her own hands. Later on she overpowers the patrolman, Slide, and they embark in an adventure of great proportions.
The carnival that follows them is created by the media that follows the trio on the road. It's incredible to think of the caravan of police cars that followed them and were unable to do anything to arrest them. Captain Tanner knows his fight against the fugitives will come to nothing because the press has made the couple into popular figures on a quest for justice.
Goldie Hawn is the best asset on the film. She doesn't have her usual mannerisms, as she plays a straight Lou Ann. William Atherton is equally excellent as Clovis. Michael Sacks and Ben Johnson contribute to the film tremendously.
This is a classic Spielberg.