Scarecrow

A 1973 American road movie and comedy-drama directed by Jerry Schatzberg. The story centers on two drifters, Max Millan (Gene Hackman) and Francis Lionel Delbuchi, nicknamed "Lion" (Al Pacino), who meet on the road in California and decide to travel together to Pittsburgh to open their own car wash business. Max is a hot-tempered and pragmatic ex-convict dreaming of a stable life, while Lion is a good-natured and naive former sailor seeking to reunite with his former girlfriend and the child he has never seen. As they journey across America, they encounter various challenges and meet different people, including Max's sister, Coley (Dorothy Tristan), and her friend Frenchy (Ann Wedgeworth). Their friendship is tested, especially after an incident in a bar leads to their arrest and a month-long imprisonment. In jail, Lion becomes a victim of violence from another inmate, Jack Riley (Richard Lynch), leaving deep emotional scars. After their release, they continue their journey, but Lion, upon learning that his child has died, suffers a nervous breakdown and is admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Max, realizing the importance of their friendship, decides to stay nearby and support Lion. The film received critical acclaim for its deep character exploration and realistic portrayal of life on the fringes of society. It was awarded the Palme d'Or at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, sharing the prize with Alan Bridges' "The Hireling."