The Movie:

From writer Thomas McGuane (The Missouri Breaks) and director Frank Perry (Doc) comes the 1975 comedy Rancho Deluxe. It's a loosely plotted character study, set fittingly close to the Crazy Mountains in Montana, outfitted with elements of a heist flick, and top-lined by a delightful ensemble cast.

Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston star as Jack and Cecil, two irreverent young dudes who have seemingly stumbled into penny-ante cattle rustling almost as a way to keep from getting bored. The target of their rustling is John Brown (Clifton James), a beauty parlor magnate from New York state who has fashioned himself into a Montana cattle baron. (It's almost an echo of James's career, since he was a New York actor who became best known for playing down-home sheriffs in flicks like Live and Let Die and Superman II.)

Brown's bored younger wife Cora (Elizabeth Ashley) seems to welcome the disturbance the rustlers bring to their life, but the old man hates it and becomes determined to sniff out the culprits. He hires stock detective Henry Beige (Slim Pickens), who is so clearly infirm that Jack and Cecil should be little concerned. Meanwhile, Brown's two ranch hands Curt and Burt, played by the dream team of Harry Dean Stanton and Richard Bright, fumble over each other in the hopes of catching the eye of detective Beige's sweet-as-pie niece and nurse Laura (Charlene Dallas).

The film is full of wonderful, carefully realized moments. Character actor supreme Joe Spinell gets a touching sequence as Cecil's Native American dad, who clearly loves his son but fervently lectures him about the pitfalls of creature comforts like new boats and pickup trucks. Bridges and Stanton share a note-perfect scene, where Stanton's character Curt quietly reveals he knows the truth about who's doing the cattle rustling, all played in the reflection off the screen of a Pong arcade game. Later, Jack and Cecil score with two sisters, Betty and Mary Fargo (Patti D'Arbanville and Maggie Wellman), which leads to a comically awkward stand-off with the gals' perturbed papa -- and their whole extended family.

The back half of the film mostly concerns the planning of a large-scale caper that will be the final "eff you" to John Brown. Even as McGuane's script dutifully sets up each character to play their part in the final act, the film consistently seems much more interested in the people and the malaise-soaked atmosphere than in the machinations of a crime story. This is a decidedly '70s film, and all of its shaggy trappings are what make it such a treat. The fact that McGuane's old drinking buddy Jimmy Buffett provides the film's song score, along with some on-camera country-rockin' in a cowboy bar, is the perfect encapsulation of the film's proto-slacker ethos.

They don't make 'em like this anymore, but Rancho Deluxe mostly makes you glad they once did.

The Blu-ray
Rancho Deluxe comes with reversible cover art and a booklet featuring color photos and an essay by Gavin Smith. Like all Fun City Editions titles so far, the initial run is offered with a limited edition slipcover on the Vinegar Syndrome site.

The Video:
Sourced from a new 2K restoration of a 35mm interpositive, this AVC-encoded 1080p 1.85:1 presentation is another gorgeous upgrade from the folks at Fun City. The clarity and grain of the original image -- shot by the legendary William A. Fraker -- is nicely translated here. Colors are richly saturated without looking unnaturally or inappropriately vivid. Some great images of the Montana landscape, as well as plenty cozy, kitschy '70s interiors.

The Audio:
The DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono soundtrack is well-preserved. Dialogue and effects blend naturally. Jimmy Buffett's song score is nicely supported without getting overbearing. One subtitle option: English SDH.

Special Features:
Featurettes all have optional English subtitles.

• Audio commentary by critic Nick Pinkerton - Pinkerton's stentorian voice once again guides viewers through a densely researched mix of history and analysis. Worth the listen.


• Like Playing Jazz: Thomas McGuane Remembers Rancho Deluxe (HD, 10:37) - Writer McGuane shares memories of selling the story and various anecdotes about most of the major players in the film.


• A Very Significant Movie: Jeff Bridges Remembers Rancho Deluxe (HD, 21:13) - A Zoom interview with Bridges. He talks about meeting his wife on the film, then talks about finding work, sometimes with the help of his older brother Beau. Memories of Frank Perry and the other major cast and crew return with a little haziness but complete fondness.


• Television version scenes (HD, 8:16 total) - Removed scenes that were apparently restored for the TV cut. The first is another nice interaction between Joe Spinell and Sam Waterston as father and son. The second is a lazy daydream with our two heroes and the Fargo sisters. The third is quiet reflection between Jeff Bridges and Waterston on their chosen life of crime. The final clip is an argument between Clifton James and Elizabeth Ashley about his gung ho eagerness to investigate the rustlers.


• Easter Egg: Harry Dean Stanton bonus scene (HD, 0:28) - A few extra silent seconds added to a shot of Stanton from the climax of the movie.


• Image Gallery


• Trailer

Final Thoughts:
The gleaming new transfer for this low-key '70s charmer might be reason enough to recommend it, but the generous supplements seal the deal. Fun City Editions prove once again that they love the movies they release, and we cinephiles get to reap the benefits. Highly Recommended.

Justin Remer is a frequent wearer of beards. His new album of experimental ambient music, Joyce, is available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple, and wherever else fine music is enjoyed. He directed a folk-rock documentary called Making Lovers & Dollars, which is now streaming. He also can found be found online reading short stories and rambling about pop music.