My wife would probably be the one to handle that sort of thing; husbands aren’t permitted to do it. Going' South was directed by and stars Jack Nicholson. The screenplay is credited to John Herman Schneider, Al Ramrus, Charles Shyer, and Alan Mandel. Mary Steenburgen and Christopher Lloyd also appear in prominent roles, with a musical score from Perry Botkin Junior and cinematography by Nestor Almendros. The story unfolds in Longhorn, Texas, in 1866, where Nicholson portrays Henry Lloyd Moon, a minor criminal facing execution. A peculiar law from the Civil War era states that a condemned man can avoid hanging if an unmarried woman in town is willing to marry him. Julie Tate (Steenburgen), a naive young lady, enters the scene; she’s completely different from the rough and disheveled Moon, but agrees to take him in with the intention of using his presence to help her work on her land, which she believes contains gold. Could these two opposites possibly develop feelings for each other? Is trust possible between them? Will Moon escape the vengeance of Deputy Towfield (Lloyd), who is convinced that Moon stole his girlfriend? Initially overlooked when it was released and largely dismissed by critics at the time, Nicholson’s second directorial effort gained a dedicated following among cult film enthusiasts. The availability of DVD has increased its exposure to both viewers and critics, leading to a reassessment of its merits. It remains somewhat unusual for some tastes; quirky comedy Westerns have always struggled to find mainstream acceptance—but today it provides enjoyable entertainment while also offering early glimpses of performers who would later become stars. To be honest, the film’s funniest moments occur primarily in the first third, and Nicholson seems to struggle to recapture that level of humor. Once the mismatched couple retreats to their secluded marital home, the straightforward premise takes over, and they engage in a power struggle between a lustful man and an innocent woman. Around them are hostile railroad officials trying to seize Julia’s land, Deputy Towfield and his associates, and Moon's former gang, which ultimately sparks chaos. The film is occasionally crude or silly but maintains its amusement throughout, featuring some memorable lines. Nicholson and Steenburgen complement each other perfectly, resulting in strong performances, and the visuals are appealing thanks to Almendros’ photography. John Belushi, Danny DeVito, Veronica Cartwright, and Tracey Walter appear in supporting roles, though none of them have enough screen time to truly make an impact as their fans might hope for. It's interesting to see Lloyd and Steenburgen working together in this genre so early on, since they would later reunite for the third installment of Back to the Future, twelve years down the line. The further connection is that Lloyd, DeVito, and Nicholson had previously collaborated on One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975; DeVito eventually switched roles with Nicholson and directed him in Hoffa in 1992. Going' South isn’t a laugh-out-loud riot but more of a pleasant experience, making it worth seeking out if you appreciate unconventional Western films. It earns a rating of 7/10.

Source on TMDB