The Big Bounce Movie Review 1969

First adaptation of Elmore Leonard's first crime novel after years of westerns is also Ryan O'Neal's first shot at leading man status. O'Neal shows his inexperience as well as glimpes of the boxoffice star he would become as Jack Ryan (not the CIA guy), a drifter who gets mixed up with dangerous woman Nancy (Taylor-Young, also very early in her career) and her plot to swindle her married lover, who happens to be his boss. Doesn't have the spark of Leonard's later crime capers, and the flat direction, disappointing finale, and overwhelming music don't help. But the obvious chemistry between O'Neal and Taylor-Young heats up the screen.

Distribution

Warner Home Video, Inc., 5775 Linder Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91362, URL: http://whv.warnerbros.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on DVD
Running time 102 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Femme Fatale, Crime Sprees, Romantic Triangles, Books to Film: Elmore Leonard

Screenplay

Robert Dozier

Cast

Ryan O'Neal, Leigh Taylor-Young, Van Heflin, Lee Grant, James Daly, Robert Webber, Cynthia Eilbacher, Noam Pitlik

Cinematography

Howard Schwartz

Director

Alex March

Music

Michael Curb

Producer

Warner Bros., Seven Arts Pictures