The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing

Burt Reynolds Director: Richard Sarafian Richard Sarafian

Overview

This romantic western drama, based on the best-selling novel by Marilyn Durham, stars Burt Reynolds as Jay Grobart, an outlaw married to an Indian woman named Cat Dancing. When Cat is raped and murdered, a distraught Grobart kills the man responsible for the crime; he soon pulls a robbery with the help of his friends Dawes (Jack Warden) and Billy (Bo Hopkins), and is now on the run from the law. While in transit, Grobart and his partners run across Catherine (Sarah Miles), a woman running away from her abusive husband Crocker (George Hamilton). Catherine is abducted by Dawes and Billy, but Grobart protects her from their violence and threats of rape. As Grobart and Catherine get to know each other, they find themselves falling in love, and despite his lawless past, she admires him for avenging the death of the woman he loved. Grobart, Catherine, and the men travel to the Indian village where Grobart lived with Cat Dancing and their son; however, Lapchance (Lee J. Cobb), a bounty hunter hired by Crocker, is on their trail to bring Catherine back to her husband. The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing was one of Burt Reynolds' first major starring roles after Deliverance elevated him to full-fledged film stardom following years in television and low-budget pictures.

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide

This offbeat stab at the postmodern western genre never quite hits the mythic
omantic heights it seeks. Eleanor Perry's script was extensively rewritten prior to the film's shoot and, as a result, it suffers from erratic shifts of pace and mood. That said, it does boast strong characterizations and dialogue. Richard C. Sarafian's direction lacks the personal touch the movie needs but his craftsmanship is rock-solid, with nice assists from Harry Stradling, Jr.'s atmospheric lensing of the Arizona locations and a stately musical score by John Williams. In terms of performances, Burt Reynolds and Sarah Miles offer solid dramatic turns yet they lack the chemistry necessary to really light the material up. As a result, they are upstaged by intense turns from Bo Hopkins as a boyish yet dangerous member of Reynolds's gang and Jack Warden, who is effectively cast against type as a devious, tempramental crook who clashes with Reynolds. The end result is watchable but falls short of adding up to the sum of its parts. Thus, The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing has to settle for being an interesting misfire that is best left to Reynolds's devoted fans.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/23/2009
UPC:	0883316126240
Original Release:	1973
Rating:	PG
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Time:	2:03:00
Sales rank:	18,849

Videos

Preview