LOOKIN' TO GET OUT

US, 1982, 105 minutes, Colour.
Jon Voight, Ann Margret, Burt Young, Bert Remsen, Richard Bradford.
Directed by Hal Ashby.

Lookin' To Get Out is a film about the American dream and genial gamblers, contemporary style. Its particularly American tone makes it a film for American audiences rather than for overseas. In fact, the film had very little cinema release and was sent to video communications.

It is very much a Jon Voight film, a production of his company and cowritten by him as well as starring him. He gives one of his tense laughing hero performances. He is matched well by a dignified Ann Margret. Burt Young imitates his Rocky and rollicking style as Voight's partner. There is a genial performance by Bert Remson as a gambling professional.

Photography is by Haskell Wexler and production values are high. Direction is by Hal Ashby (Shampoo, The Landlord, Bound for Glory, Coming Home, Being There). This, along with Secondhand Hearts made at the same time, was a significant box office failure.

The film has the old gambling theme - American style.

1. An entertaining gambling action comedy? American audiences' familiarity with the characters, the styles, Las Vegas and the settings? The tradition of Damon Runyon style gambling comedies? transferred to the present and to Las Vegas? Impact for overseas audiences ? and lack of popularity at the box office?

2. Production values: the atmosphere of New York, gambling dens? The transition to Las Vegas and its opulence, the hotels, wealth? The gambling tables and the variety of games? The plush setting? Colour photography and atmosphere? Songs and musical score? Editing and pace for the action sequences, effects for the fights, the gambling sequences? Floor shows and glamour?

3. The traditions of the gambling film? The hero and his debts, the threats of violence, his buddy and borrowing money? Hard luck stories? The attempt to gamble and win at Las Vegas, the con-trick, the expose, romance, the blend of farce and violence, the happy ending - with a trick sting in the tall? How well used? In comparison with films of its kind?

4. Audience identification with the characters? Alex and his gambling compulsions? A pleasant man? Putting the pressure on his friend? The Las Vegas expedition, the risks in the impersonation, the games, the violence, falling in love? Heightened action ? or realism for gambling types?

5. Jon Voight's film - production, screenwriting, acting? An attractive hero or not? The initial focus on his gambling compulsions, the $10,000 debt, the ultimatums for coming up with the money? The encounters with the hoods - Harry and Joey? His dilemma and putting the pressure on his friend Jerry? The reclaiming of cars, paying off debts and further debts? The violence inherent in this gambling world? The flight to Las Vegas? The con trick to get them into the hotel? The getting of money on the false name? The various games? The encounter with Smitty Carpenter, his praise of him, borrowing greater stakes? The encounter with Patti and the memories of old times, the dilemma of romance with her and winning the money? Smitty and the tension of his Blackjack game, the half million dollar win? The encounter with Bernie Gold, Alex and Jerry forced to leave the hotel? Alex meeting Patti’s daughter, Tosch? His discovering that she is his daughter? The possibility of his settling down always being footloose, losing money?

6. Burt Young's complementary buddy style as Jerry? Appearance, age, size? A loutish charm? His ex-wife and debts? Being pressurised by Alex? Going to Las Vegas and pretending to be a friend of Bernie Gold? The comic routines in establishing the con, getting the room, attention. being granted money, the attention of the staff? Smitty and his professionalism? The build-up to the winnings? Bernie Gold's return, being forced to leave? Jerry as the perpetual buddy ? potential winner, generous loser?

7. The atmosphere of the New York gambling dens, seedy but with high stakes? Hoods employed to get money back? Harry and Joey and their violence? At Las Vegas? Getting their comeuppance? Bernie Gold as the tycoon? The owners of casinos at Las Vegas? Money contacts, staff. supervision and surveillance? Bernie's relationship with Patti and keeping her and her daughter?

8. Ann Margret's glamorous style as Patti? seeming to be a hooker in the hotel (in comparison with the others on the staff)? Glamour, costumes, her perceiving Alex's tricks? Their encounter, romance? The revelation of Tosch to Alex and the emotional impact? Her love for her daughter ? doing anything for her?

9. The sketch of Tosch, relationship with her mother, her not knowing her father? Bernie Gold as stand-in father?

10. The comic touches in the film - Damon Runyon style, con tricks and sting style, the tension of the gambling. the violence? The counterbalance with the romance?

11. The build-up to the Blackjack game and the manoeuvres for Smitty to win? his heart attack. and the irony of his turning up again to take all the money?

12. Gambling and compulsions as a perennial theme for American dramas and comedies?