Monte Hellman directs James Taylor, Warren Oates and Laurie Bird in this road movie where a hippy driver and his mechanic pick up a free spirit hitchhiker and engage in a relaxed cross country race with an ageing braggart. 

One of those flicks that are seemingly about nothing and everything at the same time. Both Laurie Bird’s girl in the backseat and Oates’ shlubby fibber make this worth watching. There’s a strong sense of time and place as we drift through rest stops, races and small towns. Nothing really happens, no conclusions are reached, the film just burns up mid race eventually … but the mood is often perfect.

6