Scarecrow
Scarecrow

Scarecrow

1973Movie112 minEnglish

Two drifters bum around, visit earthy women and discuss opening a car wash in Pittsburgh.

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Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users85%
Director: Jerry SchatzbergGenres: Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

Max, a drifter with a troubled past, meets Lion, a seemingly naive but equally lost soul, on the road. They form an unlikely bond, deciding to pool their money to start a car wash business in Los Angeles. As they travel across the country, their individual struggles with identity, addiction, and past traumas surface, testing their friendship and their grip on reality.

Critical Reception

Scarecrow received a mixed to positive reception upon its release, with critics praising the performances of Gene Hackman and Al Pacino, as well as Schatzberg's direction. While some found the film's narrative bleak and meandering, others lauded its raw emotional honesty and poignant exploration of marginalized lives. It found a more appreciative audience over time, becoming a cult favorite for its unconventional storytelling and deep character studies.

What Reviewers Say

  • Hackman and Pacino deliver powerful, unforgettable performances.
  • A bleak but ultimately moving portrayal of two lost souls.
  • The film's episodic nature can feel aimless at times, but its emotional core remains strong.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciate the film's raw and emotional performances, particularly from its lead actors. Many find the story of friendship and shared struggle compelling, though some note its somber tone and unconventional pacing.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Palme d'Or at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival.

Fun Fact

Al Pacino has stated that he considers 'Scarecrow' to be one of his favorite films he has ever made, often citing its raw, character-driven nature as a key reason.

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