estherwalker-34710 Review of Back Roads

Back Roads (1981)

Two disperate free spirit drop outs have an eventful 'vacation' together, surviving on the road by 'wit and grit'

[7/10 · 8 June 2021]

Although the costar characters are a single man and a single woman, who mostly travel across country together, it's not really a romantic comedy, as sometimes stated, as there is little overt romance, until near the end, and only occasional comedy, mostly of the irony sort. It's mainly a reluctant buddy adventure drama, and should not be confused with the 2018 film of the same title, which is a very different sort of movie..............Sally Field takes on an unlikely role for her, as a too cute street walker in Mobile Alabama, sporting a convincing southern accent. Unfortunately, reportedly, Sally often didn't get along with her costar: Tommy Lee Jones, who initially plays a ne'er do well customer, Elmore, who she kicks out of her room after he admits he doesn't have any money. However, they are destined to soon meet again, when Elmore happens by while Sally is patrolling the street. Elmore senses that a plain clothes cop is about to arrest her for soliciting, and punches the cop unconscious. They flee initially to her room to hurriedly pack her things, then to Elmore's rent-free hole-in-the-wall open air shelter. Sally reminds Elmore that socking a cop is a serious offence, hence he should leave town as soon as possible. Meanwhile, she plans to relocate to the other side of town, after spending the night in Elmore's shelter......... On the way to the bus stop, she passes an elementary school, where the kids are coming to school. She spots a blond boy and waves and smiles at him, He looks at her, but otherwise doesn't respond. Then, soon a car pulls up just behind her and a lady get out. She forcefully tells Sally not to wave at her son anymore, as she has several times in the past, as he is frightened of her. Sally walks on and cries. This makes no sense at this point, but, eventually, we find out that she gave birth to this boy and gave him up for adoption. Now, she feels pride in him, but doesn't know how else to express it to him.........,,While Elmore is finalizing some things elsewhere, strangely, Sally returns to his shanty, having changed her mind about moving to the other side of Mobile. When Elmore returns, she says she needs a 'vacation', leaving Mobile, and thought it would be good if they left together. So, they start on their great adventure across the US to CA walking along a road leading out of Mobile............. I will let you experience most of these adventures without further comment, except to say that they are frequently broke, occasionally rob someone or get robbed themselves. Twice they 'divorce', but continue to travel the same route until reconnecting. Neither respects the other's past lifestyle, they calling each other losers. At one point, Sally says she no longer wants to travel with a criminal, who robs other people, sometimes after socking them. Never mind that her chosen profession(which she labels 'a hustler') is illegal in most parts of the US, flourishing only because of bribes paid to officials............Elmore used to be a boxer, evidently, not the greatest. Toward the end of the film, when he is in desperate need of cash, he arranges to fight a guy who never loses, despite disparaging remarks about his physical condition. The crowd, which doesn't include Sally, is all against him. However, when the first bell rings, the champ is still facing the crowd, still making bows(something you will never see in a real fight!). Elmore hustles over and when the champ turns around, socks him in the jaw, flooring him, for a knockout. He wins all of $100. However, when he opens the door to the motel room he shares with Sally, he is greeted by a man with a gun, who pistol whips him and takes his $100. Also in the room, besides Sally, is the angry madam(Miriam Colon) of the local streetwalkers. She is angry at Sally for invading her territory while Elmore was busy with his boxing, which Sally didn't know about. The man with gun is her detective, whom Sally propositioned. The madam now grabs Sally's take, so that the 2 are once again broke. ..,.........The 2 now can't agree on where to head next, so Sally packs her bags and goes to the nearby dance-eats place to look for a ride. But before she finds one, Elmore hustles in, grasps her hand and pulls her to the podium, with a mic. He announces that she's up for auction. Soon, a burley man steps forward and offers his money. Elmore socks him, and he does the same to Elmore. But when the fight is over, the burley man is on the floor. Sally is ecstatic. Once again, Elmore defended her when she was in trouble.(Never mind that he set up the 'trouble', presumably so he could play hero). They dance. The next morning, they are out on the road together, thumbing a ride to who knows where............. The film really needed a sequel, where the 2 demonstrate that they could rise above their status as lowly penniless drifters.