Cisco Pike

One of the lost 70s movies that seldom turns up in books or on 'best' lists, and yet it defines the time (1972) and place (Venice Beach, CA) like no other. Leading the stellar cast is Kris Kristofferson, playing a down-on-his-luck musician - kind of ironically as his soundtrack is every bit as good as his performance. The ever-wonderful Karen Black is his much put-upon girlfriend, though a strong character in her own right. Harry Dean Stanton strums a guitar and shoots up, while Gene Hackman plays a rogue cop, Factory model Viva appears looking somewhat out of place in LA, and the Doug (Sahm) in the Sir Douglas Quintet plays himself, even doing a turn in the studio. Finally, there's the perfectly named Joy Bang, and that's pretty much all you need to know. Sure, there's a story going on about a dope deal that inevitably goes tits up, but we've all seen that before. This is a character driven movie with a vengeance and while it may be the only film of note from writer/director Bill Norton, it's a great one.

Cisco Pike was Kris Kristofferson's film debut and it's astonishing to see him looking so young. He also provided the bulk of the songs featured on the soundtrack. He plays Cisco Pike, a recovering drug dealer and semi pro musician who can't quite decide which direction his life is going to take. Crooked cop Gene Hackman approaches Kris with the chance to clear his criminal record by selling Gene's purloined stash of primo dope. The balance of the film follows Kris' efforts to unload the pot in one hurried weekend which finds him frolicking in bed with Warhol star Viva and porn actress Joy Bang, dropping in to the studio with Doug Sahm and the Sir Douglas Quartet, dining on fine food with Antonio 'Huggy Bear' Fargas, and reminiscing about old times with his strung out old music buddy H D (Harry Dean) Stanton. Add Karen Black, Severn Darden and Wavy Gravy himself, Hugh Romney, and you have an amazing time capsule and a tremendously entertaining and well acted picture. This would make a terrific double bill with 1971s Vanishing Point.

Anyone looking for a downbeat, humorous melodrama should track down Kris Kristofferson's acting debut as the title character. Gene Hackman, Harry Dean Stanton and Karen Black compliment him nicely in a dated yet refreshing picture about a has-been musician who's recently quit dealing drugs. Hackman is a psychotic narc who blackmails him into selling stolen marijuana and Black is his put-upon live-in girlfriend that's just about had it with Pike's freewheeling ways. An extremely moody piece, punctuated with quick but successful comedic moments and quietly tense scenes. CISCO PIKE is from that early 70's less-is-more period of filmmaking and makes a great diversion from the feces currently hurled at us from Hollywood. Just goes to show that good movies age well, regardless of the pop culture it contains within.

I've never seen so many reviews miss the mark so entirely. It's important to understand that this is mainstream money behind a bleeding- edge art-flick of it's day. Kristoferson was reviled by the mainstream. Truly loathed. It's one of the reasons his star never quite took-off. Seriously, having one of his albums back in those days would have had your folks shipping you off to boarding school.

Many are characterizing this as "down-beat", "low-key", one person even said, "humerous melodrama". Wrong. The aloof demeanor of Kristoferson's character is just how Kristoferson was. That lumbering meter was omnipresent in films of the day. He wasn't intoxicated, or leastwise effected by it, that was just what passed for kool in those days kids. Those guys grew up on Gary Cooper and the strong-silent type was the guy every kid emulated. This was disingenuous coming from a long-haired California kid. Part of the reason he was so hated.

The copyright date in the film says 1971. Hackman's character was driving a car depicted as a police cruiser and it was a '70 model. Also, Kristoferson's character rents a car at one point, and it's a '71. So I'm guessing this film is early '72 at the latest and not '79 like the info says.

Anyway. This is an incredibly enjoyable watch. 'Play Misty for me', Clint Eastwood's directorial debut is a better look at the early 70s. That came out in '70 as a matter of fact. To me LA was just a set along with the period in Cisco Pike. Again I think there are way better cultural history tours of the time. This was fantastically directed, and if often poorly lit, was cinematographically quite professional looking. The script is tight with great dialog that dates well but it moves a little fast. They needed about 10 more scenes in the film to flesh it out a little. Probably budget issues.

Somebody please bring this out on DVD, because I'm desperate to own a copy so I can watch it whenever I feel like it. It's rarely seen and it's a fantastic piece of 1970's cinema.

Strong, realistic, natural performances from Kris and Harry Dean, stacks of great cameos including the might Antonio Fargas. Fantastically evocative and one of the few occasions when Kristofferson's great presence and offscreen persona have been used to good effect in front of the camera.

If you love 1970's American films (and if you have any feeling for movies at all, you have to love this period), then this is up there with the best.

If you have a chance to see it, take it.