The Getaway (1994) < Essential >

Doc McCoy is rotting in a Mexican prison. To get him out, Carol strikes a deal with the corrupt Jack Benyon (James Woods).

It captures that specific "New Hollywood" transition where action movies were becoming more refined, utilizing orchestral swells and moody lighting to elevate B-movie material. The Getaway (1994)

At its heart, The Getaway is a cynical exploration of trust. In the world of Thompson's fiction, everyone is a predator. The film thrives on the friction between Doc and Carol; Doc is haunted by the knowledge of what Carol had to do (with Benyon) to secure his release. Their journey to "El Paso" is as much a psychological battle to save their marriage as it is a physical run for the border. Why it Holds Up (And Why it Doesn’t) Doc McCoy is rotting in a Mexican prison