User reviews

Although "Stay Hungry" feels like the filmmakers made it up as they went along, it still gets you in mainly because of its overall quirkiness and interesting stars early in their careers.

The story centres on Jeff Bridges' character, Craig Blake, and his attempts to buy a gym in Alabama in order to redevelop the site. However he is drawn into the lives of the people he meets including gym receptionist, Mary Tate Farnsworth, played by Sally Field, and Joe Santo, played by Arnold Schwarzeneger, who is training for the Mr. Universe contest.

The story meanders all over the place with many sub plots and characters while everyone goes to town on their Southern accents - all except The Austrian Oak of course.

It's hard to place "Stay Hungry" in a genre; it's a comedy of sorts, but the humour is in the odd situations rather than in funny lines. To be honest, it needed editing; some scenes are interminable. For anyone watching it 40 years later, the appeal must surely be in seeing the stars before their careers really took off.

Arnie is arresting. This was his first speaking part; he looks big chested and powerful, but plays it low key; he's a sensitive guy, no "Hasta la vista baby" or "I'll be back" in this movie. His best scene is when he joins a group in the backwoods and indulges his passion for fiddle playing. Apparently he practiced the violin for months to look convincing.

Sally Field was 29 when she made this (a few years older than Jeff Bridges), but looks as though she would have needed proof of age to get into a nightclub - it actually makes her brief nude scene slightly disturbing. Even now she still looks way younger than her real age; check out 2015's "My Name is Doris" for confirmation.

These days Jeff Bridges looks his years, but like a bottle of Château Mouton Rothschild, he simply improves with age. He has some good scenes in "Stay Hungry", including one where he does a little Appalachian flatfooting.

With memories of Vietnam and Watergate still fresh, filmmakers seemed affected by the mood of disillusionment and mistrust of the 1970's. They came up with some off-the-wall movies, and the chaotic style of "Stay Hungry" fits perfectly into the era.

This movie doesn't really make a lot of sense...

But Jeff Bridges and Sally Field still give it their all and act pretty well with a silly story.

It's also fun to see a bunch of people (Robert Englund, Arnold, Ed Begley etc) who went on to decent and/or great things.

Plus Sally Field looks pretty hot in the film...

All in all, it is weird but it manages to stay together until the end.

Most of its value is as a super-early Schwarzenegger film and a bit of a glimpse into 70s bodybuilding culture.

And yeah, Sally Field doesn't wear much...

See Sally Field in her only theatrically released nude scene (and lots of body revealing outfits!). See Ah-nold play the fiddle! See Jeff Bridges clog(country solo dancing). See Joe Spinell play a cracker! See Robert Englund before he became "Freddy" (he is much scarier looking in this film)! Roger Mosley before "Magnum P.I.!". And Fanny Flagg and Helena Kallioniotes from "Five Easy Pieces".

Cast wise it does not get any better than this for a bunch of then relative unknowns!

An interesting tale of "bodybuilding in the New South", "Stay Hungry" was scripted by Charles Gaines and director Bob Rafelson, based on Gaines' novel. Jeff Bridges stars as Craig Blake, product of a rich, upper class Southern family who's gotten mixed up with shady businessmen (among them, guys played by Joe Spinell and Richard Gilliland) in a real estate racket. As part of their latest plan, Craig goes to an old gym to try to convince the owner (R. G. Armstrong) to sell. Instead, Craig finds himself enjoying the company of the regulars. He falls in love with sweet gymnast Mary Tate Farnsworth (Sally Field), and makes friends with fiddle-playing Mr. Universe hopeful Joe Santo (a winning Arnold Schwarzenegger, who gets an official "introducing" credit).

Although the films' second half is less compelling than the first half, this is still an endearing, eclectic mix of comedy and drama. It works largely due to its time-honoured premise of introducing a character to a world he never knew existed. The camaraderie and atmosphere of this world is well realized by director Rafelson, who helped to really bring the sport of bodybuilding to the mainstream (followed by the documentary "Pumping Iron" the following year). There are some decent laughs to be had, and some fairly affecting moments as well.

The music by Bruce Langhorne & Byron Berline is first rate, and the on-location shooting in Birmingham helps a lot. But the principal value of "Stay Hungry" is its talented ensemble. Bridges is ingratiating as usual, Field is simply adorable (and even does a brief nude scene), and Schwarzenegger shows off an easygoing charm; it's no surprise that Arnold would be as good as he is here, since he more or less just has to play himself. I'm sure people who caught this on its first run in 1976 could sense a solid career in the making. This was also a pivotal film for Field, since up to this point she was basically known for her TV roles. Lots of familiar faces in the supporting cast, too: Robert Englund, Roger E. Mosley, Woodrow Parfrey, Scatman Crothers, Fannie Flagg, Joanna Cassidy, Ed Begley Jr., Dennis Fimple, and Dennis Burkley.

"Stay Hungry" is largely cheerful, breezy entertainment, with a refreshingly quirky, character-driven plot and some pretty good dialogue. Good fun, with a priceless climax involving bodybuilders taking to the street and then agreeing to pose for a bevy of amused onlookers.

Seven out of 10.

Craig Blake (Jeff Bridges) is trying to help buy up a whole chunk of the city for a consortium to rebuilt. Gym owner Thor is holding out. Blake gets to know the disparate cast of characters who call the gym their second home. Only he starts to become their friend and falls for Mary (Sally Field) who's working there.

This is a weird little movie. Sally Field is trying to shed her good girl persona and goes out in the buff. Robert Englund is pre-Kreuger. Arnold Schwarzenegger is making a big move acting as a bodybuilder competing in Mr Universe, and playing the fiddle with rednecks. He's a brainy philosophers who gets the title line. And they got Jeff Bridges holding it all together. To top off the weirdness, some 30 bodybuilders have an impromptu pose off in the streets.

I like all these characters, but there isn't much of a story. It's obvious that Blake has befriend these guys quite early on. There doesn't seem to be much of a struggle. The land developer should be doing much more to drive these guys out. There needs to be more tension. The plot needs to flow better, and there is a little too much meandering going on.

For starters, this is not Schwarzenegger's first movie. It is one of his firsts but not the first time he appeared in a movie. Remembered for many things, Staying Hungry is an interesting movie that attempts to be too many things besides a quick comedy. The movie jumps into a drama too often to confuse its audience whether this is just a comedy or a dramatic movie. Although this movie stars Jeff Bridges, he is not the highlight of the movie. The supporting cast, which includes Sally Field, Arnold Schwarzenegger, R.G. Armstrong, Robert Englund, Helena Kallianiota, Ed Begley Jr. and Joe Spinelli not only add to the quality of the movie, but are in fact, the main draw to the story. While Bridges does a good job as the star of the film, he doesn't hold the movie together, the rest of the cast does. By the third act, the movie turns into something completely different than the comedy it opened up to be. A very different, yet interesting movie.

Stay Hungry is a most appropriate title for this clunker. It simply whets the appetite but leaves one wanting more. Here we have rich kid Bridges as a real estate entrepreneur taking on some shady business to shut down a gym, quite unfairly. Once he gets to know some of the professionals therein, he has a change of heart as he realizes his shallow and sheltered life has had no meaning, and to expand his life makes all the difference. He falls in love, makes new friends, and learns some lessons about himself. Sounds a little too dramatic for a comedy? It is.

Our performances are up to par. Jeff bridges , who ALWAYS satisfies, is deliciously adorable. perhaps too much for his own good. Always likable and with no real room to grow, yet his character is supposed to, and when he finally does, we don't see much of a difference. Pretty monotonous from start to finish despite that he is enjoyable as usual. Sally Field is on target. Spunky, beautiful, charismatic and serious when called for. Being the token lead female leaves very little for her to work with but her talent for a blended cocktail of comedy and a downfall in her arc is zesty and spicy, with a trace of sugar. The only character that shows as much range with ingredients despite the fact that she doesn't have much to do. R.G. Armstrong is predictably, and I do mean PREDICTABLY sleazy and scuzzy. Nothing beyond the common sourness in his performance the accompanies his bitter characters. Then there's Arnie. Simply, Arnie in what is said to be his first role. A fresh meal of protein. Healthy, no?

The early appetizers are not delectable enough when they don't blend. performances are too serious when this should be a comedy. That alone leaves one begging for another dish. the main course is just as lacking as the story is too serious for it's own good. Rafelson tries to put mashed potatoes next to the olive tapenade and two invariably mash together for a rather nasty taste. It's a magnificent premise that could easily go wrong, and does. primarily in the last reel. We're given some that easily could pass as a #Me Too moment in 2018, before the cream pie is served for dessert. Should have sdome coffee with cream in the middle.

The film can't make up it's mind how serious it should be, or how funny. It's not catty or snarky, and the blandness eradicates any positive taste no matter how good it smells. Next time I'll opt for popcorn and leave it at that.

Jeff Bridges as born into southern gentry but trying to find what he wants to do in life after his parents leave him the family mansion. I loved the part where he dances a jig at a blue grass music hootenanny. This film introduced a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in a role where he is a body builder who also plays a country fiddle. Sally Field plays a country girl out of place among the southern aristocracy Jeff's character belongs to.

Scatman Crothers has a small part as the faithful family retainer. Fannie Flagg and Joanna Cassidy are gentry acquaintances of Bridge's character. "

The only saving grace of this movie is the bodybuilding, and those scenes are few and far between. If you are an Arnold fan, you will be greatly disappointed in the portrayal of your hero, if not, you may appreciate the way that he is taken out of his usual bad ass roles to show a more "sensitive side." The problem is that this portrayal is ridiculous, to the point where there is a scene with Arnie in the woods playing fiddle in a country jam. If you desperately wan to see this film to see all the films he is in do it. Otherwise, this movie should be prescribed to insomniacs, as i have fallen asleep to it on numerous occasions and suffer from the occasional bout myself.

As I watched this film last night it occurred to me that it has a certain fun, Altmanesque element of found local color. The shady southern businessmen Jeff Bridges' character is involved with all talk in a hilarious retro jive, "I'm fine as wine!" and sport really sharp looking plaid blazers. Rafelson decides to throw in random things just for sheer fun; a car race, with 70's Monte Carlos shooting through the streets of Birmingham, Alabama and getting air like it's San Francisco, a whole crew of 70's bodybuilders running through the city streets and posing on top of buses. Arnold Schwarzeneggar puts in his only true serious acting turn, although I'm not sure how much it should be considered acting as he's playing his real self; philosophical and shrewd. Sally Field is hot in this movie, there's even a scene where she jumps out of bed in the nude, displaying a great ass. Jeff Bridges puts on his usual display of fine, unselfconscious screen acting. One of the nicest and most refreshing things about this movie is that it unfolds organically; we don't feel an overarching awareness of chugging plot structure like we do at today's movies.

Short and simple, "Stay Hungry" kept my attention - that is, until the hokey, silly and very disappointing ending.

But up to that point, I was a pure movie fan: watching a young, hot- looking Jeff Bridges as country-club son, looking for his way after losing his parents, I was fascinated as I compared him to the 2010 Oscar Winner for "Crazy Heart." Catching Sally Field in one of her earliest film roles as an emotionally labile gym employee, I was impressed and even blushed a little during a brief nude scene, as I thought of the matriarch currently staring in ABC's "Brothers and Sisters." Roger E. Mosley (T.C. from "Magnum, P.I.") was funny in a supporting role; A young Robert Englund reminded me that he was an actor before he was Freddy Kruger; and a host of other actors that I only know from old TV shows (Fannie Flagg, Ed Begley, Jr. and Joanna Cassidy) put me in trivia heaven.

But it was Ah-nold...Arnold Schwarzenegger who truly surprised me, playing an attractive, low-key, approachable role as an aspiring body builder. There was nothing over-the-top or kitchy about his performance, and I enjoyed every scene he was in. If you can forgive the hokey ending (which made me think of a cheesy Gay Pride parade, although I'm sure that was unintentional), then you can really enjoy this movie.

If you don't enjoy catching actors from the 80's in their early years, might I suggest you be very bored, busy with other household activities and catching it on cable first - or else you'll just hate yourself afterward and wish for that time back.

A somewhat slow-moving film. But that's okay. Jeff bridges played a lot of these quirky characters in the Seventies, and this is a good example. His character (Craig Blake) has little family, but comes into a sort of surrogate one. Arnold Schwarzenegger begins his acting career in this one, and does OK. There is little indication that he would become a huge action star. (or governor) He plays a body-builder (surprise!). This was kind of below the radar screen in those days, so it was an odd subject. Sally Field was so young and cute here, especially since she showed off that nice round bottom. Yes, we really liked you, Sally! Overall, this one is worth a rental, or catching on cable. Grade: C

I am fortunate enough to have a VHS copy and was also fortunate enough to have been an extra when it was filmed in and around Birmingham, AL. (I worked several days and nights in the Country Club scene). This film needs to be on DVD so more people can see and enjoy the early talents of Sally Field, Jeff Bridges, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others. UPDATE: "Stay Hungry" has finally been released on DVD! I purchased one copy for 9.96 and later on, another for 5.50 (I like having multiple copies since I was in it.) Other than buildings appearing where they are not actually located plus a photo kiosk that never was on Birmingham streets, I still enjoy looking at the locales. Of course, if you've never lived or been to Birmingham, you probably won't be that interested.

It is what it is. A low budget movie with a bodybuilding backdrop. The acting is pretty decent with some heavy hitters and the plot although thin is helped along well. It's a bit slow, a whole lot of southern and fairly dry in terms of comedy.

Continuing my plan to watch every Arnold Schwarzenegger movie in order, I come to 1976's Stay Hungry.

Plot In A Paragraph A syndicate wants to buy a whole district to rebuild it. They've bought every property except the small gym "Olympic", where Mr. Austria Joe Santo (Arnie) prepares for the Mr. Universum championships.

In his supporting role, Arnie gets a 'Introducing' credit here, and he won a Golden Globe for his performance. Best Acting Debut In A Motion Picture. How that works when it isn't his movie debut, I don't know, but win he did.

His performance is OK, I don't think it's great, but it's OK. The movie actually belongs to a charming turn by Jeff Bridges and the always cute Sally Field. I remember the joy of seeing Field naked in this as a kid!! I'd fancied her since Smokey & The Bandit. Future Freddy Kruger Robert Englund is here in a supporting role, and future Sly co star Joe Spinell has a small role too.

In his autobiography Total Recall, Arnie talks about how director Bob Raffleson, asked him to take acting lessons and drop down from 240 pounds to 210. This meant he had to retire from competing at bodybuilding competitions.

Despite good reviews, United Artists didn't know how to market the movie, and it failed at the box office. Arnie was sent on The Mike Douglas show to promote it with Sally Field, and to show the 50 year old how to excercise. It was advertised in gyms and gym magazines. Arnie felt it should have been advertised as 'A Bob Raffleson picture starring Jeff Bridges and Sally Field' and then let the bodybuilding be a surprise.

I think sold differently, Stay Hungry could have done differently.

6/10

This is a must see film for so many reasons. The cast alone os incredible. A young, beautiful Sally Field, who doesn't wear a bra throughout the movie (yay 70s!). A young Arnold Schwarzenegger in his debut acting role (not counting Hercules). A young handsome Jeff Bridges in his physical prime. This film is also a time machine into a different era, and a different view of the world.

There is a great story and meaning to this movie that is also pertinent and powerful despite the strange climax.

Overall, the movie is not boring, there is so much there to watch for, and it keeps your attention. The film just doesn't quite know what it wants to be, and there are many strange aspects to it that may have been edgy, hip, or modern, at the time, but just feels bizarre now. That aspect of the film is where it fails as a movie, but also is quite interesting in the "time machine" aspect of things that you would never see today and would only see in this time period.

Like many people, I've felt the sudden urge to explore all the Arnold Schwarzenegger movies I'd never seen (probably a quarantine inspired mission - thanks COVID-19), and wanted to start from the beginning. Hercules in New York was as bad as they say it is. Up next was Stay Hungry, for me. This one, I had never heard of in my life until I started doing some research, and was quite surprised when I noticed its existence. The cast made it sound incredibly intriguing.

Well, I've got to say, it stood out more than I expected. For one, it's immensely of it's own era - I haven't seen many movies that feel so 70's. From the aesthetics, to the topics, to vibes and the style of filmmaking. It's definitely a very floaty film, but I feel that it's a quality and it gives the movie it's own persona, which actually works quite well in this case. The first hour of the movie was quite strong, as it offered a sort of buddy-film vibe, honing in on a blossoming friendship between the characters portrayed by Bridges and Schwarzenegger. Sally Field played the type of we're used to seeing her play - almost always upset, almost always throwing a fit, and she does it well. I know it's not important to state this but I personally have never found her appealing or attractive, but she has a REALLY extraordinarily nice BACK, which you get a good look at in this. She did also provide quite a few laughs in this as her character is so realistically manic. My girlfriend also some of it and commented, "everyone in this is so ugly" - she has a point. Outside of the lead characters, most of the co-stars and extras in the film are much more "rough around the edges" than we are used to seeing in American cinema, and I think it adds A LOT of persona to the film as well. It was also quite refreshing to see Schwarzenegger playing a very realistic, very calm character who is also kind of a selfish, narcissistic douche. It's not often you get to see him play anything outside what is basically a cartoon character. It works in its own way, definitely.

The problem for me was the the movie completely switched tones in the last half hour to the point where I didn't even feel like I was watching the same movie anymore, and then it was just over. The ending felt mostly inconclusive and unsatisfying. It had a base-level "conclusion", but it didn't feel organic, and there were so many other details the plot that had built up the entire time and then were just left hanging. I haven't seen such an unsatisfying ending in quite some time. It's really too bad because through the first half this movie was really quite enjoyable and promising. Regardless, I suggest any interested party give this movie a chance. It's definitely a singular experience and a bit of anomaly in the timeline.

Interesting because of Schwarzenegger's breakthrough performance here which he received a Golden Globe for, the film has sadly little else of interest. The storyline is rather slim and jumps crazily between comedy and drama. While having comedy and drama together is not a bad thing per se, it jars the film because the comedy is so silly compared to the drama, which is serious. The characters are rather poorly introduced too, and the technical aspects of the film are forgettable. One could say that the film is watchable, however is anything actually great in it? The narration through letters is poor, the scenes in the street towards the end are dumb, and when the film is amusing, it too often feels like it is so for the wrong reasons. The acting is decent though - and that is one thing that can be said here - all the performers are adequate for their parts, except for R. G. Armstrong, who tends to go over-the-top.

A rich young man by the name of Craig Blake (Jeff Bridges), who feels like a guest in his own life and his home after the loss of his parents. He's surrounded by wealthy bores and seductive socialites. Craig decides to do something different in his future, a business deal with some low-life real estate developers. But when he's asked to buy a small Olympic Spa Gym as a part of the deal. Craig finds himself in a world, which he thought it never existed. Craig meets a perky gymnast (Oscar-Winner:Sally Field) and a fiddle-playing, philosophizing Mr. Universe hopeful (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Craig meets these new people that become a part of his life. Craig's new life will be never the way as he expected with his new found friends.

Directed by Bob Rafelson (Black Widow, Blood and Wine, Five Easy Pieces) made an dramatic comedy with happy performances by Bridges, Field and Schwarzenegger make it worthwhile. The film's has good supporting cast like R.G. Armstrong, Robert Englund, Scatman Crothers, Joanna Cassidy and more. This is an extremely underrated comedy. This film has a eccentric mixture of comedy and drama. This film has many fine scenes. This film is based on a novel by Charles Gaines, which he co-wrote the screenplay with the director. If you are a fan of the filmmakers or the stars of this film. You will find this film certainly enjoyable. This is a quirky, funny and a breath of fresh air. Don't miss this 1970's classic. (****/*****).