Here's some quick Letterboxd thoughts for WHITE LIGHTNING (1973): https://boxd.it/1juwS9
Listening to the laugh of Burt Reynolds in WHITE LIGHTNING, you can’t help but hoot and holler along!
Released one year after DELIVERANCE, Burt is no longer Ned Beatty’s guardian angel. Instead, he wants to make Ned’s life miserable as the dynamic Gator McCluskey. Beatty plays a corrupt sheriff who murdered Gator’s brother in cold blood. So how does Gator get revenge? He runs moonshine!
As expected, this movie is action packed. The stunt work is terrific ranging from fist fights, wrestling, guns, and car chases. Whether it’s racing through the streets of town or maneuvering through the foliage of the backwoods, the cinematography and editing make these sequences a delight. I believe most scenes take place on location - You sense the humidity dripping from the screen as every character is drenched with sweat.
As compared to DELIVERANCE, Burt is far more charismatic in this film. He’s still a macho man, but carries a charm that everyone loves. He also exhibits pizzazz with the ladies, something he didn’t get to reveal in his previously male-dominated film. Although he’s rooted in his southern ways, Burt shows he’s progressive in the environment he lives in. He’s not a racist - As he interacts with African Americans, he’s playful with the young and respectful to the old. This makes a great foil with Beatty’s character who’s obviously a bigot. At the end of the day, the sheriff sinks and Gator knows how to stay afloat.
Tarantino obviously loves this film as he borrows Gator’s name in the 14 FISTS OF MCCLUSKEY. But in particular, I’ll focus on the music: When Gator gets into pressing situations, QT uses the same percussive sounds in KILL BILL when the Bride is encircled by the Crazy 88. Also, QT uses Gator’s twangy theme in INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS to introduce the audience to the violent and quirky humor of Brad Pitt’s crew. I’m always hesitant to watch Tarantino’s favorites. I fear I won’t like them - But as always, I’m never disappointed.
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