Coppola said that this film wouldn't be successful if Shirley Knight didn't give a good performance, and I'd agree. I think her performance is excellent in a role rarely seen on the screen and James Caan also excellent as the symbollic baby she is bo... (read more) Coppola said that this film wouldn't be successful if Shirley Knight didn't give a good performance, and I'd agree. I think her performance is excellent in a role rarely seen on the screen and James Caan also excellent as the symbollic baby she is both running away from and looking after.

I was surprised how much I really liked this movie. Coppola right before he made The Godfather, and definitely on his A-Game.

How much we want to forget, stop thinking and pretend that we don't care. It seems that only when things get out of control we want to act.
A simple story that shows a deep sociological study on modern society.

I saw this one when I was very young and for some strange reason I considered it my favorite movie. I would hope to see it again and find out why.

The Rain People are made of tears and when it rains they wash away. We all know somebody like that.

I'm not trying to be controversial or anything but personally I'm not a huge Coppola fan. I love this movie though. James Caan gives a terrific performance.

Before Coppolla started making large scale epics like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, he showed what he could do with 3 actors, a car, a camper, and a stretch of highway. Proof positive that a truly gifted film-maker doesn't need the trappings of a... (read more) Before Coppolla started making large scale epics like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, he showed what he could do with 3 actors, a car, a camper, and a stretch of highway. Proof positive that a truly gifted film-maker doesn't need the trappings of a big budget studio to produce an engaging and memorable film. With no real locations established before-hand, the crew simply followed the actors cross country in a van as they shot this. The actors carry things well, and use the film as an audition to appear in Coppolla's later epics. A special edition DVD would be greatlly appreciated, especially if including the feature length documentry made by...George Lucas!

An early film from Francis Ford Coppola, The Rain People is erratic and unfocused, but has moments of brilliance that hint at the director's talent and takes full advantage of the film's excellent cast. Coppola employs flashbacks and flashforwards ex... (read more) An early film from Francis Ford Coppola, The Rain People is erratic and unfocused, but has moments of brilliance that hint at the director's talent and takes full advantage of the film's excellent cast. Coppola employs flashbacks and flashforwards excessively, so that their effect is soon muted, but they do make for interesting storytelling. They also date the film, as the determinedly "form over content" approach positions it very firmly in a late-'60s cinematic milieu. The film's greatest asset is its leading lady: Shirley Knight gives a wonderfully detailed performance that has largely been overlooked through the years. From the opening moments, even without saying a word, the viewer understands that Knight's character is suffocating in her present lifestyle. As the film progresses and Knight struggles to find herself now that she has left her husband, the viewer is treated to the believable actions of a character discovering new facets of her personality (and not always liking what she finds). Knight's mannerisms and gestures work in tandem with her dialogue -- much of which was improvised -- to create multiple levels of reality. James Caan also turns in a noteworthy performance, capturing the pathos of the character without hitting the viewer over the head. Coppola would examine a very different dysfunctional family in his next directorial effort, The Godfather.

l would say the subject matter in this particular movie was ahead of it's time. A bit slow moving, but a very unique character study type of movie. Moviw is about a recently married woman who suddenly goes for a highway cruise to try and clear her m... (read more) l would say the subject matter in this particular movie was ahead of it's time. A bit slow moving, but a very unique character study type of movie. Moviw is about a recently married woman who suddenly goes for a highway cruise to try and clear her mind and pick up a hitchhiker along the way and at first develop a light friendship only to develope into problems later. Ending of movie is a surprize !!