Matcollis This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

Bea Swanson This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Rudeinternet-com When I see a movie such as "Every Which Way but Loose" being given 3, 2 or 1 star that's just some sort of nerd hate I just can't relate to. No, this isn't an Oscar winner or was it even in contention but, it is a fun movie. I could go on and point out all the short-comings thin plot, some down-right infantile gags, cartoonish characters a theme song you won't be able to get out of your head no matter how hard you try (trust me, you want it outta there too!) But that's also the charm of this classic. Every Which Way was not created to make you think, pull at your heart-strings or make you cheer for the underdog. This is just a turn your mind off and enjoy the ride sort of film. It's not particularly violent, profane or gratuitous nor was it when it was made 40yrs ago either.The most objectionable bit of the film is Ma's dirty old lady mouth. Played by Ruth Gordon, Ma steals the show with her potty talk, work with a shot-gun and contempt for Clint Eastwood's Orangutan Clyde. Trying to stay completely un-biased (it's hard 'cuz I sure do have a soft spot for this flick) I'd have to give this movie 4 stars alone just on the strength of her performance. Add a star for Clyde the ape (another fine job there!) and another star for that fantastic infantile humor, cartoon bikers and a movie that allows you to just turn your brain off and enjoy the show.It ain't art but it sure is fun and it's got an orangutan that gives the finger out of a moving pick'em up truck. What's to hate!?

alexanderdavies-99382 Clint Eastwood was one of the few Hollywood stars from the early 1970s who was still popular by the end of the decade. Steve McQueen had deliberately reduced his output, Paul Newman was still fairly active, as were Robert Redford and Burt Reynolds. "Every Which Way But Loose," is more of a guilty pleasure than anything else. There is no plot to speak of, just a basic story about a bare knuckle brawler who befriends an orangutan. It sounds rather absurd but it is faintly endearing, strangely enough. The fight scenes are OK, if a bit on the lacklustre side! "Hard Times" with Bronson has better fight scenes. Geoffrey Lewis does a good job as Clint Eastwood's sidekick. The motorcycle gang become tiresome after a while.

Wuchak The story goes that Burt Reynolds was friends with Clint Eastwood in the late 70s and Burt suggested that he would do a serious cop thriller if Clint did a comedy akin to Burt's numerous good ol' boy flicks (e.g 1977's "Smokey and the Bandit"). So Clint did 1978's "Every Which Way But Loose" and 1980's "Any Which Way You Can" while Burt eventually did "Sharky's Machine" in 1981, which he described as "Dirty Harry in Atlanta." Burt lost the challenge because, not only are most of Eastwood's cop thrillers superior to "Sharky's Machine," both of the "Which" films are superior to Burt's good ol' boy flicks, particularly the first one.THE PLOT: Eastwood stars as easy-going truck driver Philo Beddoe who fist-fights on the side for extra money. His buddy Orville (Geoffrey Lewis) promotes unofficial prize-fights for him while his pet orangutan, Clyde, assists them. San Fernando Valley, CA, is their stomping grounds as they enjoy cold beer, country music, bars, women and the occasional fight. While Philo is an expert when it comes to fights he's not so expert when it comes to women, particularly a little country and western singer, Lynn (Sondra Locke) who strangely skips out on him; so he pursues her to Colorado. Meanwhile Philo, Orville and Clyde are pestered by a gang of witless bikers (John Quade, Bill McKinney, etc). Ruth Gordon is on hand as Ma while cutie Beverly D'Angelo plays Orville's girl.Like the title blurb says, this is the best of the good ol' boy movies of that era and the sequel is almost as good. It's consistently entertaining from beginning to end and, while it's too zany to take serious, the movie occasionally contains depth that's surprisingly effective. Lynn's breakdown and Philo's response in the final act is outstanding and the way they leave this subplot hanging for the sequel is genius. Despite being a zany comedy, the characters are decidedly human. Add Clyde's amusing & amazing antics (and, less so, Ma's) and you have the eminent good ol' boy movie.The film runs 114 minutes and was shot in San Fernando Valley, CA, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming.GRADE: A

jubilee77 The most popular of all Clint Eastwood films must be the two series of movies that featured an orang-utan called Clyde that steals the show as his co-star. The first being this one and Every Which Way You Can that appeared two years later. Despite its cult status and it might be comedy with usual cool Eastwood humour and dialogue, I don't really think its the most impressive of all Eastwood films mainly due to Eastwood sometimes losing his cool and there should be other films that are more superior than this one.Sometimes its a bit boring and its "reel let-down" must be the violence with the bare-knuckle punch contest in slight twirling dust, hence they should know better to Eastwood's discomfort and frenzied confrontation from his leading lady and regular co-star Sondra Locke whom would strangely enough re-appear in the next "orang-utan" film that doesn't really get better than the first and its a shame really.