Monday, October 18, 2010

Stay Hungry

Jeff Bridges wants to buy an old gym as part of a real estate deal to tear down a city block and rebuild it. Checking the place out he gets to know the people who work there. Directed by Bob Rafaelson and also starring Sally Fields and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This film has some similarities to Five Easy Pieces, Rafaelson's earlier film with Jack Nicholson. They are both about a rich guy slumming, trying to find himself. Which is sort of a 70s theme, I guess. Comparing the two films, Stay Hungry comes up a bit short. Rafaelson seems to lose interest in the story, and Sally Field is bland next to Karen Black. Bridges does a solid job, as natural and understated as always. One of the best scenes in the film is one where he does a folk dance with a big, goofy grin on his face. Another good, almost surreal scene is one of Mr Universe contestansts running in the streets. Schwarzenegger is pretty good, actually, in his role, giving a relaxed, charismatic performance. There's also lots of ugly 70s clothes.

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