RETURN TO MACON COUNTY

US, 1975, 89 Minutes, Colour.
Nick Nolte, Don Johnson, Robin Mattson.
Directed by Richard Compton.

Macon County Line is an unexpectedly effective little drama. The setting is the 50s, the heroes two young men on the verge of settling down, the heroine an attractive hitchhiker. Their story begins comically and lulls the audience into responding to ephemeral incidents laced with homespun philosophy. But gradually we are led into violent melodrama, police brutality and senseless deaths consequent upon American fondness for guns and lethal solutions to problems. The cast is virtually unknown but competent. The follow-on film Return to Macon County is by the same director and company but uses the title for box office purposes only. It is not a sequel, but uses similar ideas.

1. The title and its emphasis that this was a sequel? Comparison with the original? Exploiting the original and its title?

2. The quality of this film as a small piece of Americana? The 50s as revisited by the 70s? The view of youth, cars, he-men, music, police? The values underlying the people concerned? The truth of the memory?

3. Bo and Harley as young men of 1958? Purpose in life, easy rolling, their dedication to the cars, their friendship? Strengths and weaknesses of character?

4. The character of Junelle? First meeting her at her waiting, creating havoc, her decision to leave, her impulsiveness, capacity for easy thrills? Her use of the gun and her smartness? Growing relationship with Bo, jealousy of Harley and his encounter with the girl? Her experiencing it all and then going off for more? A credible girl of the time?

5. The melodrama of the drag race, the betting, the cheating, turning ugly, the bashing? Young men trying to prove themselves with the car? Junelle's getting the money back?

6. The introduction of Whittaker? The generation gap, the police, his obsession, his chasing the young men, his disobeying orders, the violence of his mistake and his final shooting? A credible obsessed policeman? The judgement on him?

7. Junelle holding up the store, more than the boys expected? Everything being more than they expected?

8. The final irony with Tom and his vengeance, taking the car and being killed in ugly America?

9. The final fiasco with Whittaker being taken away? A pessimistic outlook on the events and the times?

10. The film's comment on America in the 20th century?