South of Reno

This account of a man drifting toward middle-age, filled with vague dreams but too indecisive to act on them, is a bit too earnest and obvious for its own good. One wishes it would loosen up a little and take a few more chances. Still, it's a thoughtful and well-acted effort which will reward those who realize that a movie can be a character study instead of an action-plot.

This may well represent the best work by Jeff Osterhage, (the Glenn Corbett of the 1980s), and one wishes it had opened more doors for him. He also has two extended shirtless scenes, proving that -- along with Sam Elliott, Tom Selleck, and Alec Baldwin -- he has one of the hairiest chests in the modern American cinema. Clint Walker would be proud!