a movie without redeeming value

Rating: 1/10 (17 March 2011)

watching this in 2011, this movie aged very poorly. the fact that it was so well received in the 70's, is a telling indictment of American society of that time. some people think it is a honest portrait of small town American live. It is not. It's a caricature of small town America. Just like it's a caricature of men, of masculinity and of human beings in general. Masculinity is the central theme of this movie. but despite its macho pretension, this movie doesn't depict real men or real masculinity. the director is obviously a hater of men, specifically working class men. this movie trivializes their lives, their desires, their courage and their contribution to our society. a despicable movie made by a despicable human being.