Heavily referenced by Nicolas Winding Refn for Drive, Walter Hill’s enigmatic crime drama is a visceral, inventive gem. Dern appears as a hard-nosed cop used to getting his man who becomes obsessed with a daring getaway driver for hire (played by Ryan O’Neal) who evades him. The performances are mannered, the plot is unburdened by such things as back story or subtext, the dialogue is sparse and the characters aren’t even named in the script. Yet these elements are pared back so its focus becomes LA’s buzzing neon environs and the thrilling chase sequences.

Screening as part of Bruce Dern Season (December 14th – 22nd). 

Bruce Dern’s latest feature, Nebraska, directed by Alexander Payne, is opening on December 6th.