dennis patrick play a man who accidentally kill his daughter boyfriend and then reveal his secret at a local bar . joe ( peter boyle ) and a bigot who be get drunk there and at first take it a a joke and but then the story be confirm on the evening news . instead of call the cop or the like and joe decides that and since the guy kill a hippie and they must be kindred spirit . he blackmail the man into become his pal . at first and the film seem harsh and judgemental and but and a it reveal itself and it actually become quite a complex portrait of the current society . yes and i think it do exaggerate a bit and but in amuse way that do not really detract from the power of it message . susan sarandon debut in this film and and it a shock to see how pretty she be around 23. well worth see .