Harry Bailey (Elliott Gould) has returned from Vietnam looking to finish his college classes. He is a disillusioned former civil rights protester. He's short on cash and short a few credits before getting his masters to teach. He's often fighting and belittling his girlfriend Jan (Candice Bergen). The rising anti-establishment student movement wants him to join but he's more concerned with his money troubles and starting his career. His professor Dr. Edward Willhunt is close to flunking him.
An unknown Harrison Ford has a small role in this movie and he has some fluffy mutton chops. This is a drama comedy where the lead is a worn out civil rights protester struggling to move on in the real world. His weariness could be compelling but he should definitely be nicer to Jan. They don't just argue. He's emotionally bullying her. She's perfectly reasonable in her struggles and he does nothing but pour belittlement upon her. I still don't understand the test with the crazy kid. He explains it as self-destruction. I guess that's as good an explanation as any. There is one epic exchange with the dean. It's the heart of the matter. The movie needs to wrap up quicker. The Willhunt confrontation is very compelling but it steps on the same idea as the F. Scott Fitzgerald gay panic argument. One of them has to go and I would choose Willhunt. The gay panic debate is also funnier. All in all, I like Elliott Gould's performance and his character. He does need to be nicer to Jan. The movie would probably work as well without the cheating story. It's a very interesting antiwar movie while the war is roaring in real life.
An unknown Harrison Ford has a small role in this movie and he has some fluffy mutton chops. This is a drama comedy where the lead is a worn out civil rights protester struggling to move on in the real world. His weariness could be compelling but he should definitely be nicer to Jan. They don't just argue. He's emotionally bullying her. She's perfectly reasonable in her struggles and he does nothing but pour belittlement upon her. I still don't understand the test with the crazy kid. He explains it as self-destruction. I guess that's as good an explanation as any. There is one epic exchange with the dean. It's the heart of the matter. The movie needs to wrap up quicker. The Willhunt confrontation is very compelling but it steps on the same idea as the F. Scott Fitzgerald gay panic argument. One of them has to go and I would choose Willhunt. The gay panic debate is also funnier. All in all, I like Elliott Gould's performance and his character. He does need to be nicer to Jan. The movie would probably work as well without the cheating story. It's a very interesting antiwar movie while the war is roaring in real life.