by Ted Davis

Directed by: Ivan Passer

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: George Segal gives a fantastic performance as Jerome, better known simply as J, a quick-witted but deluded heroin junkie always hustling for the next fix, always in debt and trouble, and always on the make. J hooks up with kooky yet relatively stable Parm (Karen Black in one of her best portrayals), and his influence on her leads to the inevitable results. Need I add that the title of the movie is ironic?

Kitty Cameos: Parm quickly achieves a rapport with J, who is attempting to steal her car, and the pair arrive back to her apartment, where she introduces J to Nathan, her black cat, who is unimpressed, to put it mildly, with the grungy freeloader, meowing in disapproval. Parm comments that her cat doesn’t like her new friend.

A small ginger tabby cat appears on a table in the background and is present as J starts inspecting the value of various items around Parm’s apartment while she’s in the other room.

In a later scene, Parm cuddles with the ginger tabby while J shoots up in another room.

A cat pillow is also visible in Parm’s apartment.

Final Mewsings: Cats resent losers who encroach on their territories.

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