The Sugarland Express

Already when he was young, Steven Spielberg showed the world that he can make very good and imaginative films. The Sugarland Express kept me entertained from beginning to end with suspense, an interesting plot, good characters, funny scenes, serious scenes. You see the rather serious topic was molded into a pretty friendly movie that simply everybody has to like. The best thing about the movie it its ending, which is definitely unexpected for an American movie. (03.04.2013)

In this Spielberg film, the most interesting characters are the two desperados. He has always been interested in the world of children, simplicity, and the naivety of a child's mind. He often revisits his childhood in his films, and his work reflects that he has remained a romantic boy at heart with a desire for adventure. The married couple of petty criminals decided to "rescue" their little son from the clutches of his foster parents, disregarding the slim chances of their undertaking. They are accompanied by a convoy of police cars and surrounded by snipers, but in their immaturity and childishness, they do not understand the hopelessness of their situation. They are completely oblivious, dreaming their dream and experiencing the chaos around them as an entertaining show with lots of spectators. They enjoy every moment when they are the center of media attention. Goldie Hawn is particularly good in this role, as the character of the stunted teenager suits her perfectly. Her determination, carefreeness, and fascination with the toys around her are disarming. Contrary to reality, the director steered the film's climax toward a less intense outcome, but most likely the American audience did not forgive him for the shot-up car in the end. The film falls into the genre of tragicomedy, but this early Spielberg film does not yet achieve the storytelling mastery that film fans later became accustomed to. Overall impression: 60%. (22.03.2013)

2013 Spielberg is very different from his 1974 self, and The Sugarland Express is a shining example of that. It’s a civil and human story conceived as a great and unbound adventure, where Steven uses his talent to film almost any subject in a way that is as appealing to the viewer as possible. Goldie Hawn and William Atherton flee in a police car across America, with flashing police sirens gradually piling up behind them, and mile by mile they become bigger and bigger media stars. All of this is delivered very briskly, entertainingly and, of course, in such a way that both runaways end up looking like real American heroes capable of anything for the love of a child. Their situation is engagingly depicted from several points of view, which intertwine throughout and immerse the viewer in the vortex of absurdity and irreversibility that best characterises their actions. We know long in advance that this journey cannot end happily, but the final twist does not function as a clue and pivotal point of the narrative, but only as a logical and inevitable conclusion. Spielberg has created a beautiful and appealing film that definitely deserves a privileged place in his filmography, as well as in the road-movie genre. 80% (05.03.2013)

Funny southern accent, endless dry plains, breaded chicken, and a rifle under every pillow. The Sugarland Express reveals more and more that it's actually Texas itself, its conservatism, its inaccessibility, its ruthlessness, and, within that framework, its inherently certain comicality, that really plays the lead role here. "Howdy folks." (08.11.2021)

I know that my aversion to some of Steven Spielberg's stories is significant, but this simply didn't entertain me. I simply have the feeling that Spielberg has set certain boundaries for himself, which he doesn't want to exceed, thus limiting himself and his films at times. In my opinion, this is one such case. The strong drama turns into a tired and shrill ride on the road. (08.12.2015)

Ein wirklich guter Actionfilm für die damalige Zeit, der einen beim Herzen packt. Goldie ist ein Schwarm von mir, und ich muss zugeben, dass sie eine dramatischere Rolle gespielt hat, als wir es von ihr gewohnt sind. Die Geschichte ist sehr realistisch, auch wenn es durch die Actionszenen vielleicht nicht so aussieht, aber mir hat sie sehr gut gefallen, und alles hat perfekt funktioniert. Will und Goldie waren wie neuere Bonnie und Clyde. Die Geschichte amüsiert und bewegt, und am Ende überrascht sie. (01.01.2014)