Used Cars

Used Cars is a classic car-dealing comedy set in the 1980's with a lively team of actors, including Kurt Russell, Jack Warden and Gerrit Graham. This comedy-drama directed by Robert Zemeckis is a fun ride that explores the thrilling, yet chaotic world of used car salesmanship.

The film is centered on the story of Rudy Russo (Kurt Russell), a deceptively charming and wily used car salesman working in Tucson, Arizona. Russell’s character is an audaciously slick and cunning car salesman who could sell snow to an Eskimo, or a used car, no matter how beaten up it is, to the most skeptical customer. He's got big ambitions, dreaming not just of richer sales but of political power, aiming to run for State Senate.

Local businessman, Roy L. Fuchs (Jack Warden), owns the car lot across the street from "New Deal Used Cars" where Russo works. This character is a crafty, envious man, expectedly bitter and resentful over his perpetual second-place status. Warden does a phenomenal job wearing two hats, portraying both Roy L. Fuchs, and his more amiable twin brother Luke, who owns New Deal Used Cars. The brothers have been fierce competitors for years, each trying to outdo the other in sales and customers.

Meanwhile, the more likeable of the lot, Jeff (Gerrit Graham) plays a important role in the plot, lighting-up the screen with his comedic genius every time he takes the helm. He is a well-meaning, albeit naive soul who happens to be also an aspiring country singer, selling junk cars by day and dreaming of Nashville by night. These quirky, individualized characters work together to embezzle whomever they can in their bid to be the top dog.

Used Cars is not just a comedy about selling beat-up motors, the film also churns out an engaging plot involving deceit, outrageous sales pitches, family feuds, and political ambition. The underside of second-hand car sales is laid bare in all its crookery, scheming, and underhanded tricks. Nevertheless, the movie does not completely descend into cynicism, instead maintaining an air of light-hearted humor throughout.

The film is helmed by director Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg. This is an expert team, boasting some impressive talent, which is evident in the way the story unfolds with comedic timing, human interest, and visually stimulating scenes. The screenplay, co-written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, scatters many surprising plot twists that keep the audience engaged, all while maintaining a humorous tone. Kudos to Spielberg for using his creativity to add a touch of magic to this ordinary-seeming world of used car sales.

The cinematography of Used Cars also deserves mention. The vast Arizona desert serves as the backdrop and becomes almost a character in itself, bathing the used car lot in its harsh, unyielding light. The setting lends the film a sense of place and authenticity that further enhances the story.

In a nutshell, Used Cars is an endearing, entertaining classic, spun around wild sales artistry and the past-paced environment of a used car lot intertwined with hilarious scenarios and schemes. It not only provides plenty of laughs, but also offers insight into the desperate, often pathetic, lengths people will go to when trying to turn a profit. It depicts the ambitious struggle up the ladder of success, coated with scheming, humorous, often relatable human behavior.

The collective performances of Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, and Gerrit Graham, along with the supporting cast, bring a charming, insightful, and surprisingly humorous element to the used car business. Used Cars takes viewers on an amusing adventure full of wild car chases, outrageous antics, and outrageous plots to climb to the top of the car sales heap. Its comic timing, engaging plot, and memorable performances make it a cult classic and a must-watch. If you have a taste for underdog protagonists, relentless schemes, and humor, Used Cars is an excellent, enjoyable ride!