Watch Little Fauss and Big Halsy

Little Fauss and Big Halsy is a 1970 American drama film directed by Sidney J. Furie, starring Robert Redford, Michael J. Pollard, and Lauren Hutton. The film tells the story of two motorcycle racers, Little Fauss and Big Halsy, as they navigate the ups and downs of the racing circuit and their relationships with each other and the women in their lives.

The film begins with an introduction to Little Fauss (Michael J. Pollard), a young and talented motorcycle racer who dreams of making it big on the racing circuit. However, Fauss is faced with a major obstacle - he's short and not particularly attractive, which makes it difficult for him to attract sponsors and gain support from the racing community. Despite these challenges, Fauss remains determined to succeed and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it to the top.

Enter Big Halsy Knox (Robert Redford), a seasoned racer who is well-respected in the racing circuit. Halsy is initially dismissive of Fauss, seeing him as a lightweight who doesn't have what it takes to succeed. However, as the two men spend more time together on the circuit, they begin to develop a bond and a sense of mutual respect.

As Fauss and Halsy race across the country, they meet a series of women who impact their lives in different ways. For Fauss, there's Rita Nebraska (Lauren Hutton), a beautiful and free-spirited woman who helps him to see the world beyond the racetrack. For Halsy, there's Seally Owens (Lucy Saroyan), a tough-talking mechanic who becomes his unlikely love interest.

Through it all, Fauss and Halsy face a series of challenges, from personal demons to rival racers who will stop at nothing to win. The film is a portrait of the rough-and-tumble world of motorcycle racing in the 1970s, where danger, adrenaline, and high stakes were the order of the day.

One of the standout features of Little Fauss and Big Halsy is its cast of characters, especially the two lead actors. Michael J. Pollard gives a standout performance as the diminutive Fauss, imbuing the character with a sense of vulnerability and determination that makes him a sympathetic protagonist. Robert Redford is also excellent as Halsy, playing the character as a complex figure who is both tough and vulnerable.

The film is also notable for its depiction of women, who are given agency and complexity in a way that was relatively uncommon for the time. Lauren Hutton and Lucy Saroyan both deliver strong performances, breathing life into characters that could have easily been one-dimensional love interests. In particular, Hutton's portrayal of Rita is noteworthy, as the character is not simply a trophy for Fauss to win but a fully realized person in her own right.

Overall, Little Fauss and Big Halsy is a well-made and engaging film that offers a realistic and compelling look at the world of motorcycle racing. With strong performances from its cast, nuanced characters, and a dose of gritty realism, the film remains a fascinating snapshot of a bygone era.

Little Fauss and Big Halsy is a 1970 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.