Instant Favorite.

Best movie ever!

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

When I see a movie such as "Every Which Way but Loose" being given 3, 2 or 1 star that's just some sort of nerd hate I just can't relate to. No, this isn't an Oscar winner or was it even in contention but, it is a fun movie. I could go on and point out all the short-comings thin plot, some down-right infantile gags, cartoonish characters a theme song you won't be able to get out of your head no matter how hard you try (trust me, you want it outta there too!) But that's also the charm of this classic. Every Which Way was not created to make you think, pull at your heart-strings or make you cheer for the underdog. This is just a turn your mind off and enjoy the ride sort of film. It's not particularly violent, profane or gratuitous nor was it when it was made 40yrs ago either.The most objectionable bit of the film is Ma's dirty old lady mouth. Played by Ruth Gordon, Ma steals the show with her potty talk, work with a shot-gun and contempt for Clint Eastwood's Orangutan Clyde. Trying to stay completely un-biased (it's hard 'cuz I sure do have a soft spot for this flick) I'd have to give this movie 4 stars alone just on the strength of her performance. Add a star for Clyde the ape (another fine job there!) and another star for that fantastic infantile humor, cartoon bikers and a movie that allows you to just turn your brain off and enjoy the show.It ain't art but it sure is fun and it's got an orangutan that gives the finger out of a moving pick'em up truck. What's to hate!?

Sure, it's a silly movie. But for those of us who remember the disappointment of the original release, the movie ages extremely well. Watching Clint at his physical peak, fighting and drinking his way across America's southwest, the real fun is on seeing so many familiar character actors of the '70's in one movie. The plot, while unimportant, is also inoffensive, just a means of watching Clint be Clint, while. enjoying performances by familiar country western stars of the time, Mel Tillis, Charlie Rich, and Phil Everly.

Well, not really, but EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE is one of those mainstream fight flicks that were all the rage back in the late '70s and early '80s. This one's a likable favourite in which a typically laconic Clint Eastwood plays a prize-winning bare-knuckle fighter who gets into various scrapes with the help of his buddy, a lovable orangutan called Clyde. Inevitably Clyde turns out to be something of a scene stealer and is the best thing in the movie.Elsewhere, the film has one of those nice late '70s vibes, grungy and realistic and filmed in the great outdoors for the most part. Geoffrey Lewis is excellent in a supporting comic relief role but this is Eastwood's film really. There's plenty of action here along with the laughs, and the fight scenes are really well staged and hard hitting. There's very little to dislike about it as a whole.

The story goes that Burt Reynolds was friends with Clint Eastwood in the late 70s and Burt suggested that he would do a serious cop thriller if Clint did a comedy akin to Burt's numerous good ol' boy flicks (e.g 1977's "Smokey and the Bandit"). So Clint did 1978's "Every Which Way But Loose" and 1980's "Any Which Way You Can" while Burt eventually did "Sharky's Machine" in 1981, which he described as "Dirty Harry in Atlanta." Burt lost the challenge because, not only are most of Eastwood's cop thrillers superior to "Sharky's Machine," both of the "Which" films are superior to Burt's good ol' boy flicks, particularly the first one.THE PLOT: Eastwood stars as easy-going truck driver Philo Beddoe who fist-fights on the side for extra money. His buddy Orville (Geoffrey Lewis) promotes unofficial prize-fights for him while his pet orangutan, Clyde, assists them. San Fernando Valley, CA, is their stomping grounds as they enjoy cold beer, country music, bars, women and the occasional fight. While Philo is an expert when it comes to fights he's not so expert when it comes to women, particularly a little country and western singer, Lynn (Sondra Locke) who strangely skips out on him; so he pursues her to Colorado. Meanwhile Philo, Orville and Clyde are pestered by a gang of witless bikers (John Quade, Bill McKinney, etc). Ruth Gordon is on hand as Ma while cutie Beverly D'Angelo plays Orville's girl.Like the title blurb says, this is the best of the good ol' boy movies of that era and the sequel is almost as good. It's consistently entertaining from beginning to end and, while it's too zany to take serious, the movie occasionally contains depth that's surprisingly effective. Lynn's breakdown and Philo's response in the final act is outstanding and the way they leave this subplot hanging for the sequel is genius. Despite being a zany comedy, the characters are decidedly human. Add Clyde's amusing & amazing antics (and, less so, Ma's) and you have the eminent good ol' boy movie.The film runs 114 minutes and was shot in San Fernando Valley, CA, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming.GRADE: A