Lookin' to Get Out (1982)

27% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(1,902 ratings)

Jon Voight starred and co-wrote the script for this comedy (directed by Hal Ashby) concerning two gamblers on the run from their debts who try to score big in Las Vegas. When Alex Kovas (Jon Voight) loses $10,000 to local New York City hoods Joey (Allen Keller) and Harry (Jude Farese) in a poker… More Jon Voight starred and co-wrote the script for this comedy (directed by Hal Ashby) concerning two gamblers on the run from their debts who try to score big in Las Vegas. When Alex Kovas (Jon Voight) loses $10,000 to local New York City hoods Joey (Allen Keller) and Harry (Jude Farese) in a poker game, he hightails it to Vegas with his pal Jerry Feldman (Burt Young). In Vegas they make friends with Patti Warner (Ann-Margret), a former call girl, and move into the MGM Grand Hotel after winning big in the casino. But word gets out and Joey and Harry take a trip out West to pay the boys a surprise visit. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Hal Ashby
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 8, 1982 Wide
On DVD: May 26, 2009

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
The picture is a sloppy mess that stumbles toward oblivion like a drunk on a losing streak.
Variety Staff, Variety
An ill- conceived vehicle for actor (and co-writer) Jon Voight to showcase his character comedy talents in a loose, semi-improvised environment.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
About the only thing to be said on the film's behalf is that it does have the courage of its own mistakes. Lookin' to Get Out stays on the same wrong track from beginning to end.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Moronic comedy that's pleasant enough until it runs out of steam in the third act.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
While I understand and somewhat respect the apparent improv style for this movie, it did tend to lend itself to redundant and useless dialogue.
Aaron Hillis, GreenCine
As duplicitous as its rogue's gallery of lowlifes, the film situates the raw, loose stylings of '70s Hollywood ... in a glitzy, corny '80s vehicle.
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
The plot is a completely unconvincing series of coincidences but the dynamism of the characters and their friendships is marvelous.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
Hal Ashby's cut of Lookin' to Get Out is a movie that deserves to be rediscovered.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Even in its new, longer, supposedly original form, the movie doesn't generate much interest beyond the ordinary. (Extended Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...the direction falls flat, the script is implausible...and the acting is either forced or dull.
Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
Despite the confused content of the film, one has to concede that it looks phenomenal.
Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
Hal Ashby and Jon Voight sadly exhume the rigid, malodorous corpse of the '60s to kiss it on the lips and stuff some 50-dollar bills in its sphincter.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Director Hal Ashby's cut of the film was chopped by Paramount and by producer Schaffel and writers Voight and Schwartz, and it came up weaker for it. In spite of having problems, however, the film is not a complete turkey.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Cast

            Jon Voight as Alex Kovac

            Ann-Margret as Patti Warner

            Burt Young as Jerry Feldman

            Bert Remsen as Smitty

            Jude Farese as Harry

            Allen Keller as Joey

            Richard Bradford as Bernie Gold

            Samantha Harper as Lillian Jerry's Ex-Wife

            Fox Harris as Harvey Elevator Operator

            Peter Lind Hayes
            
            Mary Healy as Tourist

            Wiley Harker as Dr. Green

            Don Lake as Alfred

            Ruth Manning as Shannon

            Joseph Miller
            
            Stacey Pickren as Rusty Redheaded Hooker

            Roger Rook
            
            Cis Rundle
            
            Steve Vincent
            
            David Welch
            
            Howard Witt as Sid

            Michael Deluna
            
            Terry Louise Fisher
            
            Sig Frohlich as Dealer

            Patrick O'Neill as Bartender

            Danny Tucker
            
            Don Caldwell
            
            James DeCloss
            
            Marcheline Bertrand as Girl in jeep

            Angelina Jolie
            
See full cast

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