The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

The acting in this movie is really good.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Made 5 years before Burt Reynolds' "The Cannonball Run" but this is a more enjoyable anti-55 MPH national speed limit race movie.

A seemingly unrelated group of people are going to race from New York City To Los Angeles.The winner gets a gum ball machine. That premise is the funniest thing about this movie. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this movie but had no idea it was a comedy till I saw the poster 1 minute ago. With an already thin plot, this movie drops the ball on one of the characters. A mechanic who doesn't have a car(yeah right) wants to join the race.He sees an ad in the paper for a person to drive a Rolls Royce to LA and you see where this is going. He leaves the garage while it's dark out and doesn't get to the guys house till it's daylight.Lots of other things that don't make sense happen, then they get there and the mechanic doesn't go to the finish line,he delivers the car! Huh? The only reason he drove the car was to win the race and then he just gives up? Not original and not funny but worth seeing once.

The Gumball Rally is directed and written by Charles Bail. It stars Michael Sarrazin, Norman Burton, Raúl Juliá, Tim McIntire and Gary Busey. Music is by Dominic Frontiere and cinematography by Richard C. Glouner. Plot sees an assortment of car enthusiasts embark on a no holds barred coast-to-coast race from New York to California……with irate LAPD Lieutenant Roscoe and the force out to apprehend them. Upon its release The Gumball Rally would have seemed fresh and exciting, leading off a sub-genre of car race films based on the exploits of auto eccentrics racing coast-to-coast, its impact has been diluted by those that followed it. However, as sure as it isn't as much fun as the most popular of them all, The Cannonball Run, it certainly has the better stunts, better location work and a plethora of better cars. Clearly helmed with love and affection by Charles Bail, film isn't about story (vis-à-vis Cannonball Run), it's an ode to speedsters and excitement, to freedom and camaraderie, all splendidly package by Bail and his team. A ream of good character actors file in for the roles, with Julia and McIntire particularly standing out, while Bail uses his camera with skill for aerials, close ups and tracking shots to put the viewer right into the heart of the action. The comedy is well placed within the heart of the drama, and crucially those sequences are funny.An enjoyable speedy romp that never lets its foot off the pedal, The Gumball Rally is essential viewing for car fans and fans of 70s care free abandon. 7.5/10

I think we've all wanted to defy the law and drive like crazy for the thrill of it. Usually, our adult minds consider the serious legal, personal and professional consequences of going nuts on the road, though. But, what if... That is, what if you had plenty of money in the bank and no one seemed to mind if you didn't show up for work or accepted your explanation that you'd be away "somewhere" for a week or so. Lest we forget all of the expensive ground support for you along the way. The Ferrari pit crew and mechanized, ramp-quipped tractor trailer come to mind. Nor would it hurt to have bumbling cops all along the way who never seem to think to call ahead to the next states. After all, this is not the first "Gumball Rally".However, if you suspend disbelief and just roll with it, "Gumball Rally" is great fun and pretty funny. Watching those hot cars and hearing some great engines flat out is satisfying, too.I just got my new DVD of the movie and the print and sound are excellent.So, put your modern viewpoint aside, forget about fuel costs, insurance premiums and potential felony reckless driving citations...and just enjoy!