Dustin Hoffman stars as Max Dembo, a small-time crook recently released on parole after six years in prison.
After a few halting attempts at living within the law, Max finds himself back in jail because his power-hungry parole officer, Earl Frank (M. Emmett Walsh), finds drug residue left in Max’s dingy apartment by Max’s useless friend, fellow ex-con Willy Darin (Gary Busey).
Feeling like he’s damned to incarceration whether he commits crimes or not, Max assaults the parole officer, steals his car and starts executing risky robberies despite the promise of his new romance with Jenny Mercer (Theresa Russell), a sweet young woman he met at an employment agency.
A pet project for Dustin Hoffman, he was originally due to direct himself but changed his mind after a few days of filming and hired Ulu Grosbard. Denied final cut by the studio, Hoffman ended up suing Warner Brothers over their treatment of the film.
Max Dembo
Dustin Hoffman Jenny Mercer
Theresa Russell Willy Darin
Gary Busey Earl Frank
M. Emmet Walsh Jerry Schue
Harry Dean Stanton Carol Schue
Rita Taggart Selma Darin
Kathy Bates Manny
Sandy Baron Henry Darin
Jacob Busey Mickey
Edward Bunker Carlos
Corey Rand
Director
Ulu Grosbard
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