Lookin' To Get Out

If you're not familiar with the name Hal Ashby you should be. In the 70's, Ashby made some of the most influential and groundbreaking films of the time. Shampoo, Harold And Maude, The Last Detail, Coming Home, and Being There, just to name a few. But by the time the 80's rolled around, the visions of the studios had changed and just didn't get Ashby. Unfortunately a lot of his work would end up being re edited by the studio brass causing his vision to be lost upon release. When Ashby passed away in 1988, a lot of those cuts were thought to be lost forever. But one of them, 1983's Lookin' To Get Out, resurfaced the way that he intended on it being released. It seems he was able to save a print of it before the studio got their hands on it and donated it to the University Of Southern California's film department. Ashby's star and co writer of the film, Jon Voight, discovered this years later and was able to convince Warner Brothers to release this on dvd. Decades later, I have finally seen this movie the way it was intended.

A cocky gambler, Voight, and his good natured, but dim, buddy, Burt Young, high tail it to Las Vegas in hopes of winning big so that Voight can pay off some mobsters he is in debt to. Once there, they con their way into a luxury suite and Voight runs into an old flame, Ann-Margret. There is still an attraction between the two even though she is living with the owner of the casino, Richard Bradford. Voight also encounters what could be the answer to his prayers, an older gambler, Bert Remsen, who has a method on how to win black jack.

I remember seeing the studio cut back in the 80's and thinking it was ok, but this version is far superior. All three of the leads are good, especially Young, a terrific character actor who is able to shine in the larger role.

Lookin' To Get Out is not Ashby's best work, but that shouldn't be a surprise since the man had so many classics. But, it's a fun flick and it's nice to finally see it the way it was intended to be seen.

It's available on dvd.