Convoy

Right now you can watch Convoy in the US on fuboTV and Philo, and in the UK on Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Kris Kristofferson leads a cast with real comic timing. Start it on fuboTV whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

There is a reason Convoy keeps coming up in conversation. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Convoy from the crowd. Trucker Rubber Duck and his buddies Pig Pen, Widow Woman and Spider Mike use their CB radios to warn one another of the presence of cops. But conniving Sheriff Wallace is hip to the truckers' tactics, and begins tricking the drivers through his own CB broadcasts. Facing constant harassment from the law, Rubber Duck and his pals use their radios to coordinate a vast convoy and rule the road. Kris Kristofferson and Ali MacGraw lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1978. Convoy earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Convoy is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Kris Kristofferson sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.