I just watched The Honkers this afternoon and was most impressed. James Coburn is great to watch as a hard living rodeo champ who has returned to his hometown and long suffering family for a bull riding competition. Slim Pickins plays Coburn's best friend and guardian angel as a rodeo clown who always has his back. The direction by the late Steve Ihnat is outstanding and the filmography is great. I enjoyed the bull riding scenes which must have been from real competitions. This film depicts a man's decline and disrespect of his own life, yet somehow Coburn's suburb acting causes the viewer to still have sympathy for his character. All the supporting actors also do a fine job. This film shows the price that is paid from daily hard drinking, fighting, breaking promises and sleeping around...and Coburn shows this beautifully. For great scenes of 1970s southern hard living with great James Coburn acting you need to see this picture.
Review of The Honkers
The Honkers
(1972)
A Hard Living Rodeo Classic - James Coburn At His Best!
18 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers