Stay Hungry

Short and simple, "Stay Hungry" kept my attention - that is, until the hokey, silly and very disappointing ending.

But up to that point, I was a pure movie fan: watching a young, hot- looking Jeff Bridges as country-club son, looking for his way after losing his parents, I was fascinated as I compared him to the 2010 Oscar Winner for "Crazy Heart." Catching Sally Field in one of her earliest film roles as an emotionally labile gym employee, I was impressed and even blushed a little during a brief nude scene, as I thought of the matriarch currently staring in ABC's "Brothers and Sisters." Roger E. Mosley (T.C. from "Magnum, P.I.") was funny in a supporting role; A young Robert Englund reminded me that he was an actor before he was Freddy Kruger; and a host of other actors that I only know from old TV shows (Fannie Flagg, Ed Begley, Jr. and Joanna Cassidy) put me in trivia heaven.

But it was Ah-nold...Arnold Schwarzenegger who truly surprised me, playing an attractive, low-key, approachable role as an aspiring body builder. There was nothing over-the-top or kitchy about his performance, and I enjoyed every scene he was in. If you can forgive the hokey ending (which made me think of a cheesy Gay Pride parade, although I'm sure that was unintentional), then you can really enjoy this movie.

If you don't enjoy catching actors from the 80's in their early years, might I suggest you be very bored, busy with other household activities and catching it on cable first - or else you'll just hate yourself afterward and wish for that time back.

A rich young man by the name of Craig Blake (Jeff Bridges), who feels like a guest in his own life and his home after the loss of his parents. He's surrounded by wealthy bores and seductive socialites. Craig decides to do something different in his future, a business deal with some low-life real estate developers. But when he's asked to buy a small Olympic Spa Gym as a part of the deal. Craig finds himself in a world, which he thought it never existed. Craig meets a perky gymnast (Oscar-Winner:Sally Field) and a fiddle-playing, philosophizing Mr. Universe hopeful (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Craig meets these new people that become a part of his life. Craig's new life will be never the way as he expected with his new found friends.

Directed by Bob Rafelson (Black Widow, Blood and Wine, Five Easy Pieces) made an dramatic comedy with happy performances by Bridges, Field and Schwarzenegger make it worthwhile. The film's has good supporting cast like R.G. Armstrong, Robert Englund, Scatman Crothers, Joanna Cassidy and more. This is an extremely underrated comedy. This film has a eccentric mixture of comedy and drama. This film has many fine scenes. This film is based on a novel by Charles Gaines, which he co-wrote the screenplay with the director. If you are a fan of the filmmakers or the stars of this film. You will find this film certainly enjoyable. This is a quirky, funny and a breath of fresh air. Don't miss this 1970's classic. (****/*****).

This movie doesn't really make a lot of sense...

But Jeff Bridges and Sally Field still give it their all and act pretty well with a silly story.

It's also fun to see a bunch of people (Robert Englund, Arnold, Ed Begley etc) who went on to decent and/or great things.

Plus Sally Field looks pretty hot in the film...

All in all, it is weird but it manages to stay together until the end.

Most of its value is as a super-early Schwarzenegger film and a bit of a glimpse into 70s bodybuilding culture.

And yeah, Sally Field doesn't wear much...

An interesting tale of "bodybuilding in the New South", "Stay Hungry" was scripted by Charles Gaines and director Bob Rafelson, based on Gaines' novel. Jeff Bridges stars as Craig Blake, product of a rich, upper class Southern family who's gotten mixed up with shady businessmen (among them, guys played by Joe Spinell and Richard Gilliland) in a real estate racket. As part of their latest plan, Craig goes to an old gym to try to convince the owner (R. G. Armstrong) to sell. Instead, Craig finds himself enjoying the company of the regulars. He falls in love with sweet gymnast Mary Tate Farnsworth (Sally Field), and makes friends with fiddle-playing Mr. Universe hopeful Joe Santo (a winning Arnold Schwarzenegger, who gets an official "introducing" credit).

Although the films' second half is less compelling than the first half, this is still an endearing, eclectic mix of comedy and drama. It works largely due to its time-honoured premise of introducing a character to a world he never knew existed. The camaraderie and atmosphere of this world is well realized by director Rafelson, who helped to really bring the sport of bodybuilding to the mainstream (followed by the documentary "Pumping Iron" the following year). There are some decent laughs to be had, and some fairly affecting moments as well.

The music by Bruce Langhorne & Byron Berline is first rate, and the on-location shooting in Birmingham helps a lot. But the principal value of "Stay Hungry" is its talented ensemble. Bridges is ingratiating as usual, Field is simply adorable (and even does a brief nude scene), and Schwarzenegger shows off an easygoing charm; it's no surprise that Arnold would be as good as he is here, since he more or less just has to play himself. I'm sure people who caught this on its first run in 1976 could sense a solid career in the making. This was also a pivotal film for Field, since up to this point she was basically known for her TV roles. Lots of familiar faces in the supporting cast, too: Robert Englund, Roger E. Mosley, Woodrow Parfrey, Scatman Crothers, Fannie Flagg, Joanna Cassidy, Ed Begley Jr., Dennis Fimple, and Dennis Burkley.

"Stay Hungry" is largely cheerful, breezy entertainment, with a refreshingly quirky, character-driven plot and some pretty good dialogue. Good fun, with a priceless climax involving bodybuilders taking to the street and then agreeing to pose for a bevy of amused onlookers.

Seven out of 10.

As I watched this film last night it occurred to me that it has a certain fun, Altmanesque element of found local color. The shady southern businessmen Jeff Bridges' character is involved with all talk in a hilarious retro jive, "I'm fine as wine!" and sport really sharp looking plaid blazers. Rafelson decides to throw in random things just for sheer fun; a car race, with 70's Monte Carlos shooting through the streets of Birmingham, Alabama and getting air like it's San Francisco, a whole crew of 70's bodybuilders running through the city streets and posing on top of buses. Arnold Schwarzeneggar puts in his only true serious acting turn, although I'm not sure how much it should be considered acting as he's playing his real self; philosophical and shrewd. Sally Field is hot in this movie, there's even a scene where she jumps out of bed in the nude, displaying a great ass. Jeff Bridges puts on his usual display of fine, unselfconscious screen acting. One of the nicest and most refreshing things about this movie is that it unfolds organically; we don't feel an overarching awareness of chugging plot structure like we do at today's movies.