Search - Goin' South on DVD

Fun With Jack...

L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 05/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Goin South" is a must have to add to your Jack Nicholson collection. Directed by and starring Nicholson, not long after he dazzled us with his wonderful take on Randle McMurphy in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", it's an off-beat Western comedy that will have you smiling from first frame to last. He once again, takes an unlikeable character, and makes us love him and root for him all the way.



He's the unscrupulous Henry Lloyd Moon, running from the law, heading south of the border to Mexico, where the law can't touch him( so he thinks). But the possse led by Christopher Lloyd, isn't going to let a little river between the U. S. and Mexico keep them from getting their man, and as quickly as Henry rejoices thinking he is safe(doing a wonderful little dance on the river bank), he must run again. But uh-oh what's this, his faithful horse has fainted! He's roped in and brought in for a hanging.



With his head in a noose, and the hangman poised to pull the lever, he is saved by an oridinance in town that allows a woman to claim him for her husband. The fair Julia, played delightfully by newcomer Mary Steenburgen, has a good use for him...working her unprofitable gold mine. And so the fun begins, Henry trying to adapt to married life, Julia trying to strike it rich before the railroad takes over her property and Henry's outlaw pals, always seeming to get in the way.



It's a fun romp with Jack and pals, who also include Danny Devito, John Belushi and Veronica Cartwright. Filmed in Mexico, it's got some great scenery and wonderful cinematography, fabulous dialouge, and, although just a touch slow in a couple of places, it will delight both fans of Nicholson and the Western/Comedy genre.



Find yourself a horse that won't faint, saddle up with Jack...and enjoy...Laurie"

Humorous redemption

John R. Bridell | Minneapolis, MN USA | 07/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"GOIN'SOUTH is a funny movie about a humorous redemption. Jack Nicholson is the redeemee and lovely Mary Steenburgen is the redeemor. Jack, the low-life criminal, finds that marriage with obedience to Mary is the price he has to pay for going straight. Mary finds that the price of getting cheap gold miner labor through marriage to Jack includes all of the vows, conjugal and otherwise. They actually strike gold and GREED enters into the plot. Greed is a dandy comedy catalyst. The writers gave this movie excellent dialogue. Casting was terrific. What can telegraph a better joke than Nicholson's devilish leer? Mary Steenburgen fit the role of a prim, greedy reformer to a Tee. Even the cover on the box sets the comedy mood of this film with Jack's leering face framed by a noose, saying if I may, "Hey! This is going to be a funny, funny, movie.""

HILARIOUS AND ENTERTAINING!

Commish | 03/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wish Jack Nicholson had a lot more comic roles throughout his prolific and brilliant career. In "Goin' South", he absolutely shines. He's having fun, and this isn't just him acting. He loves his character! From that signature twinkle in his eye, to the devilish smile and raised brow, he steals every scene he is in - like he usually does, but he does it so naturally in this film that you don't notice it until its over and try to remember who else was in it. He both stars in and directed this movie, and though I only found one blunder (the hanging gallows doesn't have a trap door) he did a great job. I've watched this movie half a dozen times with various family and friends, and no one comes away disappointed. Christopher Lloyd and John Belushi (his first feature film appearance) are perfectly cast and hilarious. The female lead for the movie was filled by a newcomer, Mary Steenburgen, and I thought this was the only downer of the film because her chemistry with Nicholson was not there. She's a competent actress, but I don't believe she helped make this movie the overall success it should have been for all the other reasons, like the great story, the other supporting characters, the scenery, and 'ol Jack himself. The digital transfer is not great (a little grainy and faded) and the sound is just OK. I needed to have the subtitles option on to make out everything that was being said. Even though, if you remember that its a Western for the most part, and if you like Westerns with lots of humor (Blazing Saddles) then you will enjoy this movie."

Great Hilarity!

Chrissy K. McVay | North Carolina | 12/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jack Nicholson is hilarious as an outlaw who is rescued from the 'hemp necktie' just in time! Due to an ordinance passed after the Civil War in this western town, property owning women are allowed to claim a prisoner for a husband, but he is then bound to stay and obey for the rest of his days. Though being saved by the rope, Henry Moon isn't fond of being made into a slave and working a woman's dusty gold mine, and his old bank robbing gang has other plans for him too. We also get a nostalgic look at John Belushi. This movie is one for the home archives.



Chrissy K. McVay - Author"