One of the strange films of the 1970s, the magnetic road movie “Little Fauss and Big Halsy”, avoiding templates, creates a sharp, nihilistic, but fascinating sketch of its era. The plot centers on a pair of absolute opposites: talkative, charming, but absolutely immoral motorcyclist Halsy Knox (Robert Redford) and quiet, insecure mechanic Kid Fauss (Michael J. Pollard, Petroleum Girls), such heroes of the Aesop fable about the Hare and the Turtle. Their chance encounter on a race track in the Arizona desert becomes the starting point for an exploration of toxic masculinity, empty bragging rights, and friendship for gain.
Screenwriter Charles Eastman and director Sidney J. Fury didn’t aim to create an easy buddy movie. Instead, they offer a not very pleasant view of the male ego. Halsy is the epitome of charisma, devoid of ethics and principles: he lives off his charm, sleeps wherever he has to, uses random women and people, without feeling any remorse or desire to change. Redford plays this role with frightening persuasiveness, deliberately depriving the hero of any charm – only a fake white—toothed smile, a naked torso and eternal posturing. He is opposed by Fauss, a socially awkward but technically gifted mechanic who initially falls under Halsy’s charm, but then gradually realizes his emptiness. Pollard creates a touching and at the same time painful image of a man trying to find himself in the shadow of a false idol. Outwardly, a similar alignment to “macho and nerdy” is also present in the movie Going All The Way.
Motorcycle racing in the film is not just a background, but a metaphor for a life race, where it’s not so much your skills that matter, as the ability to present and sell yourself. Although real motorcycle racers may criticize inaccuracies in the depiction of races from Sonora, Arizona to Sears Point Sonoma, California: motorcycles of different classes from 250 to 650 cc in one race, fake accidents, however, the bikes themselves — from Yamaha DT-1MX to highway models — become part of the characters. For Halsy, it’s a way of self—affirmation, for Fauss, it’s the only thing he has and what he’s really good at.
The female characters reflect the zeitgeist: they are shown to be promiscuous and shallow, easily amenable to the charm of Halsy, who actually hates them because they buy into his charismatic face and the image of a cool motorcyclist. But Lauren Hutton as Rita Nebraska brings a note of tragedy, her character is not so much a “girl with a racer” as a lonely soul looking for at least some kind of support in life. Her relationship with Halsy only highlights his emotional immaturity and irresponsibility. Halsy himself has a tragic story hidden in the closet, pain and disappointment are revealed behind the facade of coolness and indifference, but he is unlikely to be able to admit his weakness.
The soundtrack to the film consists of songs performed by Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, written not only by themselves, but also by Tennesse Three, and even Bob Dylan (Wanted Man). The instrumental country music “boom-chica-boom” with Carl on lead guitar perfectly fits the atmosphere of the road, loneliness and the pursuit of illusory success.
Johnny Cash – Little Fauss and Big Halsy (1970)
02. Johnny Cash – Ballad of Little Fauss and Big Halsy
03. Johnny Cash – Ballad of Little Fauss and Big Halsy (Instrumental)
04. Carl Perkins – 7,06 Union
05. Johnny Cash – Little Man
06. Johnny Cash – Little Man (Instrumental)
07. Johnny Cash – Wanted Man
08. Johnny Cash – Rollin’ Free (Instrumental)
09. Carl Perkins – True Love is Greater than Friendship
10. Carl Perkins – Movin’
11. Johnny Cash – Little Man (Instrumental)
12. Carl Perkins – True Love is Greater than Friendship (Instrumental)
13. Carl Perkins – Movin’ (Instrumental)
Download or listen online Johnny Cash – Little Fauss and Big Halsy (mp3, 43 Mb)
“Little Fauss and Big Halsy” is not an entertaining movie, but sometimes a harsh, uncompromising parable pretending to be a comedy. The film doesn’t offer easy answers, but it does make you think about the price of charisma, the nature of trust, and what remains when a beautiful shell collapses. This is an unusual movie that has become somewhat iconic, which is worth seeing not only for the sake of the handsome young Redford, but also for the sake of a strong, albeit joyless statement.
Watch online Little Fauss and Big Halsy (1970)
