Gator (1976)

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

What a disappointment this film was. I was pleasantly surprised with the film's predecessor, White Lightning. While no master piece in film, White Lightning was an enjoyable film set in the deep south. Gator on the other hand leaves so much to be desired. The film opens with one of the most ridiculous chase scenes I have ever seen. There is little improvement as the film goes on. Jerry Reed plays a kingpin and does not do it very convincingly. Burt Reynolds, as Gator, does not seem nearly as tough this time around. Perhaps his second stint in prison made him soft? It seems Gator is not as confident this time around. The remaining cast members are most forgettable. Most forgettable was the slob/federal agent that Gator is in cahoots with. There was one good shot the entire movie. Gator visits with a 15 and a half year old prostitute and the part of the scene is shot in the reflection of a music box mirror. Somebody else must have suggested this to Burt Reynolds as the rest of his directing in this movie is deplorable. The film's failings can't lie solely on bad directing, most every film making element of "Gator" falls short. What a shame, Burt Reynolds seemed to be such a promising talent in White Lightning.

Burt Reynolds returns as Gator McKlusky in the motion picture Gator which was released in 1976. Starring in this picture along with Reynolds was Jack Weston as Irving Greenfield, Lauren Hutton as Aggie Maybank and Jerry reed as Bama McCall. Gator is released from prison after serving 26 months for making homemade whiskey. Enters Irving Greenfield who's with the justice department from the Big Apple, New York City. Greenfield hunts down McKlusky in the swamps to offer him a deal. Either Gator goes undercover to bring down his boyhood pal bring Bama McCall or his daughter gets moved around from foster to foster home, and his dad does time for making moonshine. Bama McCall runs Dunston County with his hand in everything from extortion, prostitution to murder. Enters Aggie Maybank who's a local reporter trying to a documentary on crime in Dunston County that McCall pulls the plug on. However, things start to change when Gator starts to realize just how ruthless McCall is. Therefore, when Gator tells McCall he wants out, Bama decides that him and Gator are going to sit and talk about. However, what Gator gets is a strong mix drink and finds himself in his car sitting outside the Dunston County line. Therefore, along with Greenfield, and Aggie Maybank, Gator sets out to destroy McCall. This was your typical Burt Reynolds picture with lots of suspense and action. The problem I have this picture it has no leading lady in it. Based on that fact I give this movie 8 weasel stars for the action alone.

The movie Gator is full of action. As with many Burt Reynolds movies the cops are once again practically useless. The standout is Jerry Reed as Bama McCall. Jerry Reed takes his role and runs with it till their is nothing left. The evil laugh and twinkle in his eye only adds to his portrayal. The bar scene with Bama, Gator, Bones and Smiley is a 10 easily. If you enjoy Burt Reynolds you will like this movie, however I hope you will walk away with a new appreciation for Jerry Reed. I really got a kick out of the 70's suits Mr. Reed wore. Classic. The opening motorboat scene is done well, but you can see the stunt men instead of the main actors. Lauren Hutton is sweet and there seemed to be some chemistry between her and Burt. Great acting, morality play and Jerry Reed, what more could one ask for?

Movie starts off good enough with an exciting speedboat chase, but I would have preferred two hours of that as opposed to the forced, embarrassing comedy attempted in this film. Running around with cats draped over their necks, the cast attempts to cram jokes down your throat. This was Reynolds charming era, but his charm skipped this one.