Francis Ford Coppola directed this entertaining biography of Preston Tucker ,(played with enthusiasm by Jeff Bridges), an ambitious inventor who, after WWII ends, devises a new kind of automobile with innovative features like seat belts(!). With help from his family, and his friend Abe(played nicely by Martin Landau) he gets the funding to build 50 cars after he leases a disused government factory. Things go wrong when the "Big 3" automakers get wind of this, and decide that they don't want the competition, get their lobbyists out to destroy him, led by a sinister senator(played by Jeff's father Lloyd Bridges). Tucker is finally brought to trial for fraud, and must plead his case personally, despite the government turning on him...
Stylish and entertaining film features fine performances by all, and a poignant yet inspiring story of one determined man's efforts to improve the automobile industry, yet being stymied the whole way. Memorable speech by Tucker at the end will seem quite prescient in later years.
Stylish and entertaining film features fine performances by all, and a poignant yet inspiring story of one determined man's efforts to improve the automobile industry, yet being stymied the whole way. Memorable speech by Tucker at the end will seem quite prescient in later years.