Scarecrow Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two dudes decide a car wash is the answer to all their problems, and it’s not.

🍿 Scarecrow: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meeting on the Road

Max Millan, a recently released ex-convict with a volatile temper and dreams of owning a car wash in Pittsburgh, meets Lionel “Lion” Delbuchi, a former sailor returning home to Detroit to see the child he’s never met. Their initial encounter is confrontational, highlighting their contrasting personalities. Max is hardened and cynical, while Lion is naive and optimistic.

An Unlikely Partnership

Despite their differences, Max and Lion form an unlikely bond and decide to travel together, combining their resources to achieve their respective goals. Max sees Lion as a potential partner in his car wash venture, while Lion is drawn to Max’s strength and determination. Their journey becomes a study in contrasts, as Max tries to toughen up Lion and Lion tries to soften Max’s rough edges.

Trials and Tribulations

Their journey is fraught with challenges. They encounter various characters and situations that test their friendship and push them to their limits. They visit Max’s sister in Denver, where Max reconnects with an old flame. A bar fight leads to their imprisonment, where Lion is subjected to a traumatic experience that deeply affects him. These events reveal the vulnerabilities beneath their tough exteriors and force them to confront their pasts.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Max (Gene Hackman): An ex-con with a volatile temper, Max dreams of opening a car wash in Pittsburgh and seeks a stable life.
• Lion (Al Pacino): A childlike former sailor, Lion uses humor to cope with the world as he searches for his child in Detroit.
• Coley (Dorothy Tristan): Max’s sister in Denver, Coley provides a temporary respite and a connection to Max’s past.
• Frenchy (Ann Wedgeworth): Coley’s friend, Frenchy represents the hard-luck women often found on the fringes of society.
• Jack Riley (Richard Lynch): A sinister inmate who attempts to victimize Lion, representing the harsh realities of prison life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lion: “Hey Max, you heard the story of the scarecrow?” – Lion introduces his philosophy that scarecrows don’t scare crows, they amuse them, setting the stage for his outlook on life.
• Max Millan: “Goddamn crows are scared.” – Max’s reply during a conversation about scarecrows and crows. He does not agree with Lion’s view that scarecrows amuse crows.
• Lion: “You think crows are scared of a scarecrow?” – Lion asks Max his thoughts on scarecrows and crows. This shows that Lion is more open than Max, and has a more positive view.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.2 million
• Domestic Gross: $9 million
• Worldwide Gross: $9 million

💥 Scarecrow Reviews

Personal Review

I watched ‘Scarecrow’ expecting a classic 70s road movie, and I got so much more. The film feels raw and real. Hackman and Pacino’s performances are incredible. I felt like I was right there with them. The ending hit me hard. Definitely a movie that sticks with you long after the credits roll. A must-see for any fan of character-driven stories.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Al Pacino and Gene Hackman”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate 1970s American cinema”
  • “People who enjoy road movies”
  • “Viewers who like films that explore themes of friendship and loneliness”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Attempted rape”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• MovieWeb: “A thoughtful, sensitive drama, capably handled by Schatzberg. Like so many late 1960s and 1970s films, it’s not afraid to get grim, and doesn’t spoon feed the audience a happy, conclusive ending. Hackman and Pacino have rarely been this engaging.
• N/A: “The movie moves along at a leisurely pace, as Max and Francis gradually become friends, despite their very different personalities. The two men become embroiled in several misadventures along their journey, even getting put in a prison farm for a month. This film is among the best made in the 70s.
• N/A: “Hackman and Pacino are amazing. The magic created on screen by these two actors are mind blowing. The opening and closing scenes are so “different” it can be classed as poetic in a way. This is not your regular Hollywood movie.

Audience Reactions

Hackman and Pacino deliver acting on a level rarely found in any films.: The performances of Gene Hackman and Al Pacino are universally praised as career highlights.

A poignant film about human longing, change, and growth.: The movie is deeply moving and explores themes of friendship, loss, and the search for meaning.

Overall Consensus: A beautifully acted and emotionally resonant film that explores the complexities of friendship and the harsh realities of life, though some find the ending depressing.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Palme d’Or)- 1973

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Gene Hackman has stated that his performance in ‘Scarecrow’ is his personal favorite.”
• “The film won the prestigious Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival.”
• “Richard Hackman, who plays Mickey, is Gene Hackman’s brother.”

🖥️ How to Watch Scarecrow?

As of today, “Scarecrow” is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can find it on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred platform for availability in your region. Unfortunately, it’s not currently streaming on subscription-based services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Scarecrow, you might like these similar films:

• Midnight Cowboy (1969): Similar in its portrayal of an unlikely friendship between two men on the fringes of society, struggling with their dreams and harsh realities.
• Five Easy Pieces (1970): Explores themes of alienation and disillusionment as the main character drifts through life, much like Max and Lion.
• The Last Detail (1973): Another road movie from the same era featuring strong character development and a sense of melancholy.
• Of Mice and Men (1992): A film about two unlikely friends sticking together and supporting each other in their travels and employment.

🛒 Scarecrow Related Products

• Gene Hackman: A Life in Movies: A biography chronicling Gene Hackman’s career, including insights into his role in ‘Scarecrow,’ which he considered a personal favorite. Features behind-the-scenes stories and analysis of his acting methods.
• Al Pacino: An Actor’s Story: Explores the life and career of Al Pacino, with a focus on his early roles and the impact of ‘Scarecrow’ on his development as an actor. Includes interviews and critical analysis.
• Warner Bros. 100 Years of Storytelling: This limited-edition box set commemorates Warner Bros.’ centennial anniversary by showcasing iconic films, including ‘Scarecrow’. It provides exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and rare memorabilia, highlighting the studio’s legacy and impact on cinematic history.

🎧 Soundtrack

Scarecrow features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Love Forever” – performed by Bobby Bare

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

THE PROBLEM WITH SCARECROW

Ever wondered if Scarecrow’s portrayal in the Dark Knight trilogy was spot-on? This video breaks down the character’s evolution and flaws, sparking some really interesting points – you might see Scarecrow in a whole new light!

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