La fureur du danger

Hooper (1978) *** (out of 4)

Sonny Hooper (Burt Reynolds) is the best stunts-man in the business and he's working on his latest picture with a director who keeps pushing him to his limits. Hooper slowly begins to realize that his career has caused his body to be broken and it's effecting his relationship with Gwen (Sally Field) but he brings on and up and coming stunt-person (Jan-Michael Vincent) and they are asked to do a dangerous stunt that has never been done before.

Director Hal Needham, Reynolds and Field made SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT the same year as this film and needless to say that one is the one that most people remember today and it's easy to see why. This film here is Needham's love story to the men and women who perform stunts in such movies and on that level the film works and is very entertaining but at the same time there's no question that there are some flaws in the picture.

The film is obviously trying to tell the story of a man whose body is broken down due to his line of work. Needham started off as a stunt coordinator so there's no question that he knows what he's talking about and the behind-the-scenes stuff is what's so entertaining here. It's fascinating getting to see what these stunt worker are doing behind the camera and there's no doubt that there are some excellent stunts in the picture. There are some high jumps that are performed and final car jump is without question wonderful.

The problem with the film is that the whole personal drama is pretty much wasted and it never fully works. A lot of the blame can go towards the screenplay and especially the drama between Reynolds and Field. Their characters are meant to be going through some major drama but the viewer just never feels it as the relationship is really underwritten and I would argue that the Field's character is so under developed that you just can't take her too serious.

It's really too bad there's not much done with the character because Field is good when she's on the screen. Reynolds also turns in another winning performance as you really do believe that you're watching a real stunt person and the actor perfectly nails the roles. Vincent seemed to always be playing the "new" guy on the scene and he too is a lot of fun here. Brian Keith, John Marley and Adam West add nice support and Terry Bradshaw also gets a funny bit.

As I said, HOOPER is flawed at times but there's no doubt that it's a fun movie and the cast certainly makes it worth watching.

Not much of a story but just enough to get by. Lots of stunts including a spectacular ending sequence that delivers enough to make this an enjoyable love letter to stunt men and a solid Burt pic.

"Hooper" is one of the most upbeat films I've ever seen. Everyone in the movie is so positive. The stunt men believe they can do the stunts, the director believes in getting the big shot, and everyone seems to be having a great time. You can't help but be entertained. The chemistry between Burt Reynolds and Sally Field is believable, and some interesting supporting actors make major contributions to the fun. Even Terry Bradshaw and Robert Tessier in the barroom brawl are memorable. So the next time you are feeling a little down, I recommend watching "Hooper" for immediate relief, because everybody loves a good time and a good movie. - MERK

Burt Reynolds is at his rollicking best as devil may care stuntman Hooper who's beginning to feel his age. The hot breath of competition in the person of Jan-Michael Vincent is breathing down his neck. Reynolds prizes the fact that he's the best in the business, but it's a young man game that demands a young man's reflexes.

Brian Keith knows how Reynolds feels, Reynolds dethroned him as number one and Reynolds keeps company with Keith's daughter Sally Field who would dearly love it if both of the men in her life would just get out of that rough business.

Hooper has little plot to it, it's a character study of the people who go into that line of work and a touch of insanity seems to be a needed ingredient for success. The title role is something that fits Reynolds like a made to measure suit

John Marley is in the cast as your stereotypical ulcer ridden producer and Robert Klein has a great part as a truly obnoxious director, one of his early good ones. And of course the stunt work stands out on its own as well as being an integral part of the plot.

Hooper even got an Oscar nomination in the Sound category. A definite must for Burt Reynolds fans.

You're not going to find a moving story about a man coming to terms with his own mortality here, but from just a look at the cover of the DVD, you probably weren't expecting it. What we have here is a very pleasant diversion that never takes itself too seriously. Just before things start to get a little too sentimental, someone always jumps off a tall building or flips the car he's driving. Overall, the film has a nice pace. The gags (as in slapstick) are occasionally hilarious, and the gags (as in stunts) are outstanding--I believe this film holds the record for longest rocket car jump. And Burt is his usual self, so utterly unself conscious, he can deliver lines like, "If you don't try to do any stunts, I won't try to do any acting." Make of that what you will. ;-)