This movie sure is underrated as a comedy

This movie is kind of in a class of its own, there's nothing else like it. It's not really an action movie, it has a few fights. It is a pure comedy in my opinion, that's the only genre this applies to, and I think that it gets forgotten about especially in any discussions about the best comedies of all time.

It currently sits at a healthy 6.3 rating, which is probably decent for a comedy. I personally rate it an 8 because there is so much funny shit in this, so many hilarious characters and moments. There is so much going on, there's like 20 characters to keep track of, but the film consistently gives screen time to each one at just the right place so that the viewer knows exactly who's who and what's going on with them. I guess I'm saying the amount of character building in here is unbelievably well done.

For instance, even though they aren't on screen all that much, the two cops that Philo beats up in the Palamino Club are given just enough dialogue to lay out a hilarious obsession to hunt Philo Beddoe down for the rest of the film: "I'm going to use my 2 weeks medical leave to find him". LOL.

As for Philo Beddoe himself, it's established right away the guy is a dog with women, flirting with all his co-workers after the work day is done, and he beats the crap out of a guy at the bar over peanuts, literally. Then he has his first hilarious encounter with the Black Widows, and I can't help but LOL every time I see Philo chase those guys down with his pick up truck, through heavy traffic, never letting up, making them drop their bikes and run. Underrated comedy!

Another incredibly hilarious thing is just how well we get to know The Black Widows and what they're all about, even though again, they aren't on screen all that much, but it feels like they are everywhere! And they have nothing better to do than pursue a vendetta against Philo Beddoe and his ape.

Of course Ruth Gordon steals the movie, it's almost unfair how funny she is, everyone else has to match her. The movie is just a romp because of it.

Other funny characters include the trailer park manager, the truckers at the truck stop diner, Mel Tillis, and most of the fighters that Philo encounters along their journey.

Honestly, I think people get way to distracted and hung up on Sondra Locke and forget she's almost a minor character in comparison, heck, Beverly D'Angelo has almost as much screen time.