Editorial Product Review:Amazon.com:Nicholson directed and starred in this Western spoof about an outlaw who is saved from hanging by a young widow (Mary Steenburgen) who puts him to work as an indentured servant. She has a gold mine that no one knows about and she wants him to help her get the gold before anyone else finds out. But, of course, his old gang--who gave him up to the law in the first place--finds out about the mine and wants a piece of it. This was filmed in the late 1970s, when drug use was rampant (and not particularly frowned upon) in Hollywood; keep that in mind when you listen to Nicholson's stuffy-nose delivery. Alternately amusing and flat, with a cast that includes Steenburgen in her first movie role and John Belushi in a tiny part as a member of the gang, also making his film debut.
--Marshall Fine
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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
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What a cast!
First off, there's Jack as the male lead (he also directed). But then you also got John Belushi in his movie debut (lot of people don't know this), Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen in HER movie debut, Ed Begley Jr., Danny DeVito, Vernonica Cartwright, and some strong actors in other supporting roles--Tracey Walter and R.L. Armstrong. It's a lot of fun to see Belushi and DeVito do their thing here, and Jack is also a lot of fun to watch.
This 1978 film is an interesting companion piece to his other Western done around the same time, The Missouri Breaks, a much more serious film. Goin' South has some punchy comedy stuff in it, thanks to the Mary Steenburgen character's on-again, off-again "romance" with her newly chosen husband, Jack--whom she marries just so he'll help her get the gold out of a mine on her land. Connubial bliss is far from her thoughts, in fact.
The swinging back and forth between Jack and Mary hitting it off and at real odds with each other is further compounded by the two ornery deputies in town, played by Christopher Lloyd and John Belushi (a Mexican converted to American deputy status--don't ask), AND by Jack's former gang--Danny DeVito, Vernoica Cartwright, Tracey Walter, and another guy--and this back and forth also keeps the movie swingin' away at comic situations. An especially funny scene has the outlaws and the two deputies shooting at each other over a short roof.
The ending is kind of abrupt, but bearing in mind this was the 70s when the movie was made--and that the director was Jack himself--it's OK, or even better than OK. The parallels to The Missouri Breaks are found in Jack's attraction to a strong-willed woman, his involvement (former or current) with a gang, a Western setting, and a connection--good, bad, or indifferent--to a wealthy man (landowner or railroad representative).
While The Missouri Breaks is a much stronger film--not the least reason for which is the presence of the amazing Marlon Brando in it--Goin' South has a lot of goofy charm and is definitely worth seeing.
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If you're lookin' for a good movie, well ya dang sure got your wish!
I had never heard of this movie, directed by Jack Nicholson...needless to say it's pretty funny. I loved all of the character actors, and just the expressions on their faces throughout the movie. I've watched it three times already, and there are a lot of funny lines in it. It was worth buying.
Customer Rating: 
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If you like Jack, you'll love this...
As an obviously biased fan, I find this somewhat obscure movie ( I actually saw it when it was originally released) to be an extention of Nicholson's offbeat sense of humor. Add in a supporting cast of unknowns like DeVito, Belushi, et al and you have a recipe for a night of chuckles.
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HILARIOUS AND ENTERTAINING!
I wish Jack Nicholson had a lot more comic roles throughout his prolific and brilliant career. In "Goin' South", he absolutely shines. He's having fun, and this isn't just him acting. He loves his character! From that signature twinkle in his eye, to the devilish smile and raised brow, he steals every scene he is in - like he usually does, but he does it so naturally in this film that you don't notice it until its over and try to remember who else was in it. He both stars in and directed this movie, and though I only found one blunder (the hanging gallows doesn't have a trap door) he did a great job. I've watched this movie half a dozen times with various family and friends, and no one comes away disappointed. Christopher Lloyd and John Belushi (his first feature film appearance) are perfectly cast and hilarious. The female lead for the movie was filled by a newcomer, Mary Steenburgen, and I thought this was the only downer of the film because her chemistry with Nicholson was not there. She's a competent actress, but I don't believe she helped make this movie the overall success it should have been for all the other reasons, like the great story, the other supporting characters, the scenery, and 'ol Jack himself. The digital transfer is not great (a little grainy and faded) and the sound is just OK. I needed to have the subtitles option on to make out everything that was being said. Even though, if you remember that its a Western for the most part, and if you like Westerns with lots of humor (Blazing Saddles) then you will enjoy this movie.