Institute History
Description
As David Burton Morris’ Patti Rocks makes the festival rounds and enters theatrical distribution, his original 1975 film, Loose Ends , is fast gaining cult status. Here, over a dozen years earlier, are the original characters—and actors—seen in Patti Rocks. Billy Regis (Chris Mulkey) appears as we would expect him, a would-be hustler and wise-ass flake constantly trying to interest the more sedate Eddie Hassit (John Jenkins) in macho adventures and get-rich schemes. At first a source of entertainment, Eddie gradually allows Billy to draw out his carefully suppressed resentments toward his job and wife. Finally, with Billy, he bursts out of town in a desperate pursuit of freedom.
Hailed at festivals around the world and highly praised by such critics as Vincent Canby, Andrew Sarris, and Roger Ebert, Loose Ends is a lasting and shining example of American independent cinema of the mid-seventies. It’s to director Morris’ credit that he can revive such spirit and vitality again today.