8 Million Ways To Die

There's no denying that director Hal Ashby is a legend. After classics such as Harold And Maude, Shampoo, Being There, and Coming Home, he pretty much cemented that. But like a lot of legends, Ashby's later career became rather hit or miss. Due to conflicts on the set, a rumored cocaine problem, and becoming a recluse, Ashby would usually be fired from his productions. SSuch was the case with his final film,1986's 8 Million Ways To Die.

Jeff Bridges stars as an alcoholic ex cop, who comes to the aid of a prostitute, Alexandria Paul. After she ends up murdered, Brides teams up with another escort, Roseanne Arquette, to try and find the murderer.

The movie was based off the novel by Lawrence Block with a screenplay from Oliver Stone, an uncredited Robert Towne, and David Lee Henry, who used a pseudonym. Ahsby assembled a terrific cast. Andy Garcia is the real stand out in one of his earliest roles.

I enjoyed the movie. It's far from being one of Ashby's best, but it's not his worst. The problem it suffers from is that the pacing seems rather slow,.

* Million Ways To Die is worth a look. It's available on dvd and blu ray.