Back Roads, directed by Martin Ritt and written by Gary DeVore, is a romantic comedy-drama that takes a gritty look at two disparate individuals thrown together by desperation as they embark on an impromptu road trip across the American South.
The film captures a slice of working-class American life, focusing on characters running from their past and struggling to find dignity and connection.
The plot centers on Amy Post (Sally Field), a savvy but world-weary Mobile, Alabama prostitute, and Elmore Pratt (Tommy Lee Jones), a broke, hot-tempered former boxer and drifter.
Their initial encounter, which involves Elmore being unable to pay for her services, swiftly escalates into chaos when Elmore punches a plainclothes police officer.
To escape arrest, the two are forced to hit the road together. With no clear plan or resources, they decide on the vague destination of California.
The journey becomes a grueling series of misadventures, challenging their patience and revealing their vulnerabilities.
Amy and Elmore are constantly on the hustle, scraping together money and dealing with the harsh realities of life on the move, including theft, bad weather, and encounters with judgmental or dangerous strangers.
The conflict is fueled by their radically different personalities—Amy is pragmatic and hopeful, while Elmore is cynical and quick to anger. Along the way, they pick up a memorable hitchhiker (David Keith) and face the stern disapproval of various small-town figures.
The core of the film rests on the chemistry between the two leads.
Field, reuniting with her Norma Rae director Ritt, brings warmth and resilience to Amy.
Jones is excellent as the gruff, damaged Elmore.
The supporting cast, featuring the veteran character actors M. Emmett Walsh, Barbara Babcock, John M. Jackson, Tony Ganios and Royce D. Applegate, provides authenticity to the various figures they encounter along the back roads.
Sally Field in Back Roads (Photo/Warner Bros.)
Reception for Back Roads
Back Roads grossed $3 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office.
The film grossed $11.8 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
While perhaps overshadowed by Ritt and Field’s other collaborations, the legacy of Back Roads lies in its genuine, down-to-earth portrayal of two social outsiders seeking a fresh start.
It is a classic road movie that asks whether two broken people, whose only commonality is their failure, can find the salvation of shared affection amidst the chaos of American life.
The film remains a compelling, if bittersweet, time capsule of early 1980s American cinema.
