As a director Burt Reynolds is a fine actor and "Stick" takes the prize of being a sleeper of all sorts, confused, slightly manageable with some nice actions sequences but this adaptation of Elmore Leonard's work (written by the man himself which makes it even more disappointing) made me sick and tired the more the story progressed.
I usually go the extreme lenghts to talk about movies but this one didn't get anything else from me except the feeling of confusion about the characters, their motivations and how they connect with one another. Charles Durning colorful and weird characterization of a villain is probably one of the dullest I've ever seen and one that I will not forget so soon; on the other hand, the menacing bad guy played by famous stunt man Dar Robinson was pretty good, heavy and he's the one you'll always want to see more while Reynolds Stick is just a smart but unappealing hero.
As for the late Robinson, it's isn't the characterization of this albino-looking killer that gets the highest credit but his excellent stunt performance in a pivotal moment of the film - though by the time you probably feel asleep or gave up hope of watching. I remember seeing a documentary on Robinson's work and the making of "Stick" was presented with Burt giving lots of credit for the man's work in creating devices and a safety emvironment during the shooting of the movie, specially the falling of a building. The scene is jaw-dropping.
It seems like a nice gathering of good folks (George Segal and Candice Bergen are also here) making a pitiful experience that isn't relelvant neither entertaining, almost a waste on their resume. The plot is wrapped with cliches that I've seen work better in other things. Here it just doesn't work properly. It's embarassing. 3/10
I usually go the extreme lenghts to talk about movies but this one didn't get anything else from me except the feeling of confusion about the characters, their motivations and how they connect with one another. Charles Durning colorful and weird characterization of a villain is probably one of the dullest I've ever seen and one that I will not forget so soon; on the other hand, the menacing bad guy played by famous stunt man Dar Robinson was pretty good, heavy and he's the one you'll always want to see more while Reynolds Stick is just a smart but unappealing hero.
As for the late Robinson, it's isn't the characterization of this albino-looking killer that gets the highest credit but his excellent stunt performance in a pivotal moment of the film - though by the time you probably feel asleep or gave up hope of watching. I remember seeing a documentary on Robinson's work and the making of "Stick" was presented with Burt giving lots of credit for the man's work in creating devices and a safety emvironment during the shooting of the movie, specially the falling of a building. The scene is jaw-dropping.
It seems like a nice gathering of good folks (George Segal and Candice Bergen are also here) making a pitiful experience that isn't relelvant neither entertaining, almost a waste on their resume. The plot is wrapped with cliches that I've seen work better in other things. Here it just doesn't work properly. It's embarassing. 3/10