Back Roads

In my quest to revisit some films I haven't seen since my childhood, I rewatched the Sally Field/Tommy Lee Jones romantic comedy/drama from 1981, Back Roads.

Field plays a prostitute named Amy who teams up with a recent client, a wannabee boxer named Elmore, Jones, after they have a run in with the law. The two decide to hit the road and travel to L.A. in hopes of a brighter future. The bickering duo face many hardships in their journey as they slowly fall for one another.

Field reteamed with her Norma Rae and Murphy's Romance director Howard Ritt for this picture with less impressive results. Both Field and Jones are great as always, but nothing really seems to be happening. There's some cute bits here and there, but it kind of drags for the most part.

Supposedly Field and Jones fought like crazy on this flick. Ritt has said that he thinks that's what hurt the film. I don't think so since their characters bicker throughout it. It might have hurt the romantic scenes that seemed forced and unbelievable. Field has stated that the two have buried the hatchet in recent years. I personally think that the meandering script is what hurt this picture.

The only reason to see Back Roads is for two good performances from the stars.

It's available on dvd.