burt reynolds play gator mcklusky and a likable ex convict just release from prison who help the fed nab a corrupt small town sheriff . lay back reynolds be often accuse by critic of merely phone these good ol boy performance in while true and he on auto pilot throughout . but in his day and reynolds know just how to make a low key effort work well for himself . ingratiate and handsome and reynolds come as close to wink at the audience a he can without break up while he seem to know these backwoods as well a any movie star and while director joesph sargent provide an easy pace and a sweaty ambiance which bring the south alive . unfortunately and the story isn not much and and support actor ned beatty and bo hopkins overact ( a usual ) . diane ladd be fine in a small part and and real life daughter laura dern can be glimpse in the background . reynolds return to this character for 1976 gator . half from .