Scarecrow (1973)

Overview
"Scarecrow" is a 1973 American roadway movie directed by Jerry Schatzberg, and starring Gene Hackman and Al Pacino. The story centers around two vagabonds - Max (Hackman), an ex-convict and ex-sailor, and Francis (Pacino), a carefree ex-seaman, who fulfill while hitchhiking. Both wanderers, they decide to travel together in hopes of beginning a car wash service in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Satisfying and Setting off on an Unusual Journey
Max and Francis, also known as "Lion", are 2 drifters who meet in California while hitchhiking to Pittsburgh. The edgy, aggressive, and pragmatic Max is the reverse of Lion, who is gentle, idealistic, and typically lost in his world. However, they establish an unlikely friendship, triggering on their journey together with the objective to start a car wash service. Francis intends to reach Detroit to fulfill the kid he's never seen.

Turbulent Encounters
Their journey takes several rough turns as they encounter numerous obstacles. They invested some time in Denver, where Max's casual fling with a woman of the street called Frenchy tears their relationship apart. A difference causes a violent run-in in a bar, landing Max in jail, and Lion hospitalized. Left alone, Lion hits rock bottom, ending up being a loner having a hard time to weather his physical and emotional injury.

Reunion and a Tragic Conclusion
After being released from jail, Max looks for Lion, who is now reluctant to reunite due to their past. When Max manages to encourage Lion to rejoin him, they lastly reach Detroit. In the end, Lion's reunion with his kid ends unfortunately as he learns that the child was embraced by another household after his ex-girlfriend's death. A blaming battle between the 2 characters ensues, and the film concludes with Max holding a semi-conscious Lion in his arms.

Thematic Threads and Symbolism
"Scarecrow" tells a story of relationship, dreams, and failures against the background of American working-class battle. Making use of a scarecrow as a metaphor points towards the idea of alienation and the existential predicament that both the primary characters suffer. Their contrary personalities, coupling with their shared dreams and sociability, add to making this movie a complex yet interesting character study.

Performances and Acclaim
Hackman's performance as Max paints the picture of a gruff, reasonable guy hardened by life's ordeals, while Pacino's function successfully communicates the naivety, optimism, and later, the broken spirit of Lion. Their impressive efficiencies won the movie the Palme d'Or award at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival. In spite of its less industrial success, the film commands a critical gratitude and is typically hailed as one of the finest yet overlooked cinematic productions of the 70s.

In conclusion, "Scarecrow" is a poignant, heartwrenching tale that explores companionship, dreams, loss, and the gritty truth of life through the characters of Max and Lion. It is a remarkable piece of gritty realism, made even more engaging by the excellent performances by Hackman and Pacino. It is an expedition of the human condition, with an unforgettably tragic conclusion.

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