Synopsis: Lesser known than films by Scorsese and Coppola, John Huston's masterly FAT CITY is a classic story of the American underdog, and deserves its place in the canon of great 1970s films. Adapted from a Leonard Gardner novel, this sorely overlooked work brilliantly and unflinchingly... Lesser known than films by Scorsese and Coppola, John Huston's masterly FAT CITY is a classic story of the American underdog, and deserves its place in the canon of great 1970s films. Adapted from a Leonard Gardner novel, this sorely overlooked work brilliantly and unflinchingly portrays the lives of a group of born losers. Set in California, the story revolves around the lives of poor fighters. Stacy Keach is Tully, a down-on-his-luck alcoholic boxer living in a flophouse and earning money as a field worker while trying for a comeback. Jeff Bridges is Ernie, his 18-year-old protege who is setting himself up for the same hard-luck life. Tully tries to pass his wisdom on to Ernie, attempting to give the kid the chances that he missed. Meanwhile, Tully also becomes involved with Oma (Susan Tyrell), a raging alcoholic who does nothing but drag him further down. This film initially presents itself as a Horatio Alger-like comeback or underdog story, but is actually a bleak, incisive character study. A downbeat classic, FAT CITY is one of the best films by director John Huston. [More]