The highlights of this movie are the expected standout performances by a young Al Pacino and a young, well younger, Gene Hackman. Their range of facial expressions and absoulutely convincing characterizations are a joy to behold. Also since Hollywood usually deals in glamour, it's a nice change to see characters with more modest aspirations. A very good road movie, a genre I usually don't gravitate to, 7/10.

Max Millan (Gene Hackman) is an angry ex-con. Francis Lionel "Lion" Delbuchi (Al Pacino) is a childish ex-sailor. They meet on the road hitching rides. Max is unfriendly at first but after hours of not catching a ride, they become road companions. Max has a plan to open a car wash in Pittsburg. Lion is going to Detroit to see his estranged wife Annie after 5 years and his kid for the first time. He refuses to call her ahead of time.

This is a lesser-known team-up of these two great American actors. There is no doubt that it's absolutely fascinating to watch these guys go to work during their energetic younger days. It has the grim existence of the back roads of America and a free-flowing acting sensibility. It does ramble on and on but it's never dull. In the end, their charisma never lets the movie get away from them. The scene with Annie and Lion on the phone is electric. This is a definite hidden gem.

I only recently got a chance to see Scarecrow, a film I knew very little about and I was intrigued with the casting of Gene Hackman and Al Pacino. There is a Wizard of Oz motif about this film, hence the title of the film Scarecrow.

This is essentially a road film about two damaged characters that encounter each other on the road. They are seeking a destination but not sure how to get there.

Hackman (Max) is an ex-convict with a short temper who wants to go to Pittsburgh and open a car wash. Pacino (Lionel) is an ex-sailor who abandoned his pregnant girlfriend to go the high seas but did send money back regularly for his child whom he has never met.

Lion is rather childlike, naive and trusting. While Max uses his temper and physical presence to keep people at his distance and if the occasion demands it, to get his way. Lion uses humour and slapstick.

For a 1970s road film you might expect this to be grim and grey but it has gorgeous cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond. In many senses that lighting makes the film rather ahead of its time with its vibrant yellow and brown hues.

Max and Lion strike an unlikely friendship Max wants Lionel for his partner in business and along the way Max mellows somewhat.

Both actors play fully formed characters with Pacino getting the chance to shine with the more playful side of Lion.

You do get to care about these people, they have lived rough lives but they are not bad, nasty people but just trying to make their way in the world and have modest dreams and ambitions and you really hope they go on to do well.

It is a series of vignettes as they encounter other characters and ladies who they make out with although it seems Hackman is the ladies man in this film and not Pacino.

There is a stint in jail where Lion's vulnerabilities are exposed. The film keeps a good pace but it rather starts to lose steam towards the end until Lion contacts his ex- girlfriend and she gives him a metaphorical punch in the gut.