Unusual Clint Eastwood vehicle, in that he participates in an ensemble cast rather than being the sole focus of the plot. A combination Road Movie/Buddy Picture/Caper Film that I was drawn to after researching the 1974 oscar race, and noticing Jeff Bridges nominated for his role in this film. Michael Cimino puts together a tight, well-paced character study with occasional surreal touches (what's up with the guy with a trunkload of white rabbits?) that carries none of the pretentious baggage and extraneous backstory that plagued his Deer Hunter/Heaven's Gate years. George Kennedy puts in a fine performance as an ex partner of Eastwood's with a huge chip on his shoulder, and Jeff Bridges puts in another in what would eventually prove to be a long career of underappreciated character roles. Also a good 'downer' ending that could only have come from the seventies.
Other good 'caper gone wrong' movies that I also enjoy: Kubrick's The Killing, The Hot Rock, The Asphalt Jungle