A lightweight look at 'the life of a Hollywood stuntman' (as the song featured on the soundtrack would have it) directed by a former stunt co-ordinator. Likable and fun - it comes up with plenty of amusing situations (and, naturally, dangerous stunts) throughout - but, ultimately, it's pretty forgettable; certainly not up to the level of the more significant (and relatively more serious) THE STUNT MAN (1980). Still, it takes care to deal with the bodily harm long exposure to this kind of work puts on an individual, as well as the strain on personal relationships; the film also pays sentimental tribute to ageing exponents of this short-term field (in the persona of Brian Keith).
Lead Burt Reynolds is his usual mischievous, if limited, self; at one point, he shows hotshot newcomer Jan-Michael Vincent highlights from his past work - including scenes from John Boorman's DELIVERANCE (1972), an earlier Warner Bros. production which had co-starred Reynolds! The supporting cast includes Sally Fields as Reynolds' current girlfriend (and Keith's daughter), John Marley as a sympathetic film producer, James Best as Reynolds' sidekick, Adam West as the film star whom Reynolds' character usually doubles for - and, best of all, Robert Klein as Roger Deal, an egomaniacal film director who will stop at nothing for the sake of putting his "artistic" vision on the screen (a character reportedly based on Peter Bogdanovich, with whom Reynolds had worked on NICKELODEON [1976]!).
Lead Burt Reynolds is his usual mischievous, if limited, self; at one point, he shows hotshot newcomer Jan-Michael Vincent highlights from his past work - including scenes from John Boorman's DELIVERANCE (1972), an earlier Warner Bros. production which had co-starred Reynolds! The supporting cast includes Sally Fields as Reynolds' current girlfriend (and Keith's daughter), John Marley as a sympathetic film producer, James Best as Reynolds' sidekick, Adam West as the film star whom Reynolds' character usually doubles for - and, best of all, Robert Klein as Roger Deal, an egomaniacal film director who will stop at nothing for the sake of putting his "artistic" vision on the screen (a character reportedly based on Peter Bogdanovich, with whom Reynolds had worked on NICKELODEON [1976]!).