Hilarious dry, sophisticated humor with insight into the ranching life of the Big Sky Country of the US. Really hits the mark for the cowboy-hippie life of Bozeman and Livingston, Montana. Great performances from Slim Pickens, Jeff Bridges, Elizabeth Ashley, Joe Spinell and shows that Sam Waterston actually had a lot of talent until he fell into the "Law and Order" grind. This is probably the best film written by Thomas McGuane and one of Frank Perry's best efforts as a director. Would probably make a great double bill with "The Adventures of Buckeroo Banzai." Anyone interested in the last Golden Age of American Film (late 60's - 70's) should see this film.

"Rancho Deluxe" assembles a group of characters who think they want things to go back to the way they used to be, but they mostly have simplistic views about the past. The wealthy ranch owners made their pile with a string of beauty parlors. The two ranch hands--an appliance repairman and a TV pitchman--quit those jobs to live in a bunkhouse and ride fenced-in range. The two cattle rustlers take one beef at a time, and haul it away in a pickup -- but they shoot it with an antique buffalo rifle. They all think something was lost in the past which they would like to recover. A braver time, a lost simplicity, perhaps.By contrast, two of the oldest characters, the elderly Indian and the retired horse thief- turned range detective, observed more of the past and know it better, and they approve of progress. Joseph Spinnell lectures his son, "The homesteads, hospitals, schools and welfare of the state of Montana have been sold down the river to buy pickup trucks!" The detective sets a honey-trap to ferret out just who expects to come into some money soon, a very modern ploy. Then, seemingly for fun, he dons chaps and six-guns and mounts a white horse to pull over the cattle-laden tractor-trailer before it can get to a roadway. He then dismounts and asks for some more peach pie. He lectures the ranch owner, "All big money crimes are inside jobs. Remember that and you may hang on to this ranch of yours."In the end, even the captured rustlers are somewhat content. Turns out the Montana penal system has a prison ranch, if you can earn "trusty" status.With all the fun going on in this story, there is also that core of serious thought about nostalgia not being what it used to be.

You've gotta love these whimsical '70's flicks. And, it was interesting seeing a younger Sam Waterston after so many years of seeing him play a character with the gravitas of Jack McCoy. Kudos to Charlene Dallas, even though, according to IMDb, she didn't have much of a career. An enjoyable film to watch. Grade: B+

A truly funny, gentle, intelligent movie. A rare cinematic experience, in that the surprise ending doesn't leave one feeling manipulated. Slim Pickens' performance was on a par with his work in Dr. Strangelove. A great "western" for those who,like myself, don't particularly like "westerns".