Watch Stick For Free

Good movie but grossly overrated

Absolutely Brilliant!

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

After failing to attract audiences with the comedies "Stroker Ace" and "City Heat", Burt Reynolds apparently thought that a tough and gritty movie based on an Elmore Leonard novel would help him make a comeback. But the movie didn't even gross a third of its budget back at the box office, and Reynolds downward spiral continued. Seen today, it's pretty easy to figure out why audiences weren't that attracted to the movie. It does get off to a decent start, however. The first half hour, though a little slow, is mildly interesting as we see what events will influence the title character to get revenge. However, after that half hour, the movie slowly becomes slower and slower, and eventually Stick seems to be doing NOTHING in order to get his revenge. There are other problems with the story as well. The love subplot with Candice Bergen could easily be cut out without harming the rest of the movie. And the character of Stick's daughter only seems to be in the movie so that near the end she can be... oh, you guessed it?The character with the most problems, however, is Reynolds' Stick character. Certainly, the writing makes the character inactive for much of the running time, but Reynolds' performance is very bland and passionless. This is probably due to Reynolds in real life struggling to recover from grave injuries suffered during filming "City Heat" Whatever the reason, he is not very compelling in his acting. However, the movie is sparked by the performances of the supporting cast, including George Segal, Charles Durning, Alex Rocco, and stuntman Dar Robinson.In the end, while I will say the movie is not as bad as many critics have made it out to be, I will also say the movie is still not very satisfying whether you are a fan of Reynolds or novelist Elmore Leonard. I would only recommend it to (very) patient viewers who are interested in what a mix of Burt Reynolds and "Miami Vice" would play out like.

A few years ago I was working at Blockbuster Video and bought this movie brand new for $1.00 on VHS. It was worth it. Most people don't like this movie, but I have a certain fondness for it. I am a huge Elmore Leonard fan and also a Burt Reynolds fan so I liked it. I admit that it has flaws like Candice Bergen's wooden performance. But it has two great acting jobs by Charles Durning and the late stuntman Dar Robinson as the albino hit-man Moke. His performance is truly terrifying. It is terrific when Burt taunts him as Bunny Eyes. Durning is also great as a red haired drug dealer. There are a few good action scenes at the beginning and then at the end. The middle of the film drags. If only the intensity of the beginning could be kept up to the finish this would have been a great film.

Even Burt followers probably won't be satisfied with this. It's a meandering actioner with too little action, somewhat saved by George Segal's joyous performance as an eccentric millionaire.

Burt Reynolds has in Stick the opportunity to come back in interpreting the kind of character that consecrated him:the cynic,charmous and irresponsible anti-hero.Once the movie was based on an Elmore Leonard's book,whose works are known due it's unics,rotters and ambiguous characters,he has the possibility to exaggerate on the creation of the movie's protagonists.The simpleton plot offers a simple and passing diversion.Burt Reynolds is Ernest Stickley, an ex-com who just have been set free and who gets involved in a hard situation after going with his friend to accomplish a drug transaction in a desert place.His friend is murdered,but he escapes and now he wants revenge.He ends up becoming an employee and protected of a millionaire,and,while weaving his revenge,he gets emotionally involved with his boss'secretary,Kyle(Candice Bergen).If this film has a trump card,it is adapting faithfully the Elmore Leonard's book.The film counts with a terrific final climax,stuffed with shooting and a beautiful final scene,underlined by a beautiful music called Ï don't think I'm ready for you"...