Smokey and the Bandit (1977) review

Notorious speedster "Bandit" (Burt Reynolds) accepts an offer from "Big Enos" Burdette (Pat McCormick) to illegally transport 400 cases of Coors Beer all the way from Texarkana to Hotlanta and asks his buddy "The Snowman" (Jerry Reed) to help out - along the way, Bandit picks up runaway bride "Frog" (Sally Field) and the three of them have to avoid not only police officers but persistent Sheriff "Smokey Bear" (Jackie Gleason).  There are five individuals given writing credits (including long-time stunt coordinator and director Needham) for what's a ninety-five minute long car chase ... and despite its child-like delight in launching cars off bridges and other types of vehicular chaos, it really is quintessential Americana with its anti-authoritarian message and its classic theme song "East Bound and Down" (co-written by Reed).  Reynolds and Field have some nice chemistry together (they were in a relationship at the time); few actors embellish as skillfully as Gleeson ... who may have been loaded up on multiple adult beverages.