The Whole Shootin' Match

The Whole Shootin' Match was such a strange movie to me. The characters were so crazy. You have this very sweet woman who just wants to be a good wife and loving mother but her husband is a crazy jerk man and his cousin is trying to woo her. Then there is the just goofy guy that is just going with life doesn't ask for a lot and doesn't need a lot but he is full of the inventive ideas and just really wants to make a patent on something. He is an entrepreneur. The goofy man and the jerk man are best friends and both struggling financially. They are constantly looking for jobs that are going to lead them to lots of money but keeping failing at every attempt. It is quite depressing actually when the man cannot even buy his own son a new bike after his other one gets stolen. These people are very poorly educated and it shows. The entrepreneur finally comes up with a great invention and takes it to go have it produced but he is naïve and gets screwed over by the dirty business upper class men. He tries to go and get back what is rightfully his but the man has good expensive lawyers working for him and even some big body guards and the two country bumpkin men just can't compete with that so they are forced to just give up and try and find their money elsewhere. This movie is very depressing and you just wish that they would finally be cut a break somewhere but the reality is that they are not and that is how it would be probably if this situation did occur in real life. It is a tough world to make it in and this movie does and awesome job portraying the struggles of two men's lives.

I revisited one of my favourite Jean Rouch's film Cocorico Monsieur Poulet (1974) few days back and it took me by surprise that the masterpiece didn't have a single review on IMDB. I posted the first and then I have always compared the chaps from Rouch's road movie to Eagle Pennell's character. They leave a myriad of lasting impressions and it depicts normal people like with the same needs or longings. Anyway, I wanted to share my thoughts on Pennell's indie gem The Whole Shootin' Match (1978), a film credited to serve as an inspiration for Robert Redford to start the Sundance Film Festival and Institute. Also, it was the first film to gain national attention for the Austin film scene. I can even add Kent Mackenzie's The Exiles (1961).

An analysis of Eagle Pennell's films reveals simple themes that are seen or repeated in all his works. It's about a small town that on the surface gives the middle class living. The movie follows Lloyd and Frank, two hapless blue-collar friends (drinking buddies) who possess a never give up attitude and have dreams of making it rich. They aren't depressed, but still dream big and drown their sorrows in local pub. For them, drinking and dreaming is much more important, whose signature is repeatedly captured by the director. Unfortunately, the alcoholism resonated with the real life of Eagle Pennell which led to his passing. He could have been something else but never wanted or cannot escape from his personal demons.

Anyway, this film is not a homage to drunkenness like few have mentioned online. The film does not sermonize but rather it presents the events as they happen. It could've been cheesy at times, introduced like in a soap opera, most seem to serve a cliché at first glance, but the characters never jump out of the track as they maintain the necessary grip despite galloping madness.

Conclusion: Thankfully as a character study and even as a downbeat comedy, It is easy to imagine that the film will develop a right amount of feelings and smile with some alcohol. Regardless, It can be viewed soberly, the gags and goofballs entertains with or without opening a cold one.

This is a prime example of a film that would be good, if it had higher production value. The cast is suitable for their roles, but the screenplay could have used a little bit of help before production began and the director could have used a little bit of guidance with other aspects of production.

Sonny Carl Davis plays the main character, Frank. Frank has a few too many problems in his life. He can't hold down a job, and has lost money on some failed business ventures on more than one occasion. His wife is being seduced by his cousin. His son gets his bike stolen, and he can't afford to buy him a new one. To escape all of these pressures to be successful, he drinks. He and his best friend, Loyd, run off to local bars and flirt with the women. Davis does a great job of creating this estranged and desperate character that is lost and completely depressed.

Lou Perryman and Doris Hargrave are great as the supporting cast. Perryman plays Loyd, who gets caught up in all the failed business ventures with Frank. He is a nice guy who likes to invent things, but he is always just short of finding success. Hargrave plays Paulette, Frank's wife. I'm most fascinated by her high-pitched voice and thick accent, but she also does a fine job in her thankless role. Her character does not have much depth which could be because the director, Eagle Pennell, did not know how to create a good role for a woman.

Overall, the film is an interesting independent film, but could've been a little bit better.

The Whole Shootin' Match was a great film! This regional film earned a lot of attention when it was first released in the late 70's and I can completely understand why. It was shot in Austin, TX and tells the story of a couple of guys living in central Texas trying to find their place in this world. Even with a low budget the film was able to catch the attention of the audience with the chemistry of the two main characters Frank played by Sonny Carl Davis and Lloyd played by Lou Perryman. They play best friends in the film and are constantly finding themselves down on their luck. I didn't expect much when I knew that this film was a regional low budget film but the outcome really impressed me. After learning about a little bit of the background of the director Eagle Pennell and the making of the film I felt that the crew did an amazing job with the little resources they had. This film captures the simplicity of the life in rural Texas. The film mainly focuses on the life of Frank and the everyday problems he encounters with his wife and son along with trying to find something he can be successful at. When the burden becomes too much he turns to Lloyd and the two best friends go out for a night on the town to relieve themselves of the pressures they face. These characters have something that I feel many people can relate to. They obviously don't live perfect lives and are in search of making something more of themselves. I couldn't help but love these characters, although many may find faults in them. I wouldn't refer to them as losers but instead more as the average person. That is really why I enjoyed this film.

Upon director Pennell's death last year (2002)the news media reported that Robert Redford credited this film as his inspiration for creating the Sundance Institute. An affectionate and often funny look at two losers who nevertheless refuse to give up on their dreams of striking it rich. Pennell and cast shot this on weekends using short ends b&w film stock and borrowed equipment. Everybody worked for free, including Pennell's brother who provided the guitar soundtrack. Film was a minor sensation on the festival circuit - Pennell followed it across the USA and Europe and was offered work in LA as a result though things did not turn out as everybody had hoped. Leads Sonny Carl Davis and Lou Perry (Perryman) moved to LA immediately afterwards and have worked playing character parts / small parts ever since. Prints have been unavailable for many years now.