The film was definitely the best regional and Eagle Pennell's best film. Unlike most films during that time set in Texas did express the values or nature of real Texans. The actors in the film and the director were all Texans and knew the culture. The script of the film was outlined with majored scenes and sparse dialogues. The main actors improvised most of the dialogue in the film. The improvisation added to the Texan aesthetics of the film. The quirky remarks and the Texan references made it relatable and entertaining for all Texans. The joke of the alcohol being from Medina was aimed specifically at Texans. The chemistry of the two leading male characters was amazing. The audience could tell that the men were friends in real life and were just goofing around in front of the camera. The dysfunctional marriage dynamic of between Doris Hargrave and Sonny Davis was believable as a real troubled marriage. The Davis and Perryman were good ol' boys trying to make ends meet in a corrupt world. Frank was trying to make ends meet for his family through his many discretions and money issues. He loved his family, but luck was not in men's favor. Their electric mop was stolen from them due to the faith they put into the company and a faulty contract. Although the film was shot on weekends and was extremely low budget it was real and entertaining. In one scene a grip's arm is in the shot of the kitchen of the married couple's home. The quick glimpse didn't subtract anything from the film. It added to the feel of the realness. The humor was the perfectly fitted for the Texans. The cinematography was not as well done as other films, but it added to the aesthetic of the regional mentality and the simplicity of the film.

The Whole Shootin' Match is a movie that most people know today as the catalyst for the creation of the Sundance Film Festival. Indeed, the rustic, almost unpolished feel of the movie gives it the trademark "regional" feel, making it a film that is different from the typically polished, professionally made films of Hollywood; although the film is comparatively unpolished, or rather because of it, there is a sense of authenticity that could not have been captured in a Hollywood studio. Apparently, due to budgetary strains, which included shortage of film stock, the film-makers could not afford to retake many shots, which explains the slightly clumsy acting at certain points; however, don't get me wrong: the actors are extremely talented, and they do a great job for the most part, it's just that they falter a little bit in a few scenes here and there.

Eagle Pennell does a very competent job directing this movie. Although Pennell grew up in a college town, it feels as though he is well in touch with the sensibilities of the people of the rural South. The main character of the movie is your quintessential, happy-go-lucky southern folk who goes about dragging his feet as he attempts to move up in life; by the end of the movie, he is right where he began. The way I read it, the movie is telling its audience that every person has a certain place in society, dictated by his own level of competence, and he should learn to live within his means, and be grateful for what he has. One thing I would especially like to mention is the background music: it is a wonderful classically influenced, folksy guitar soundtrack strummed by the brother of Pennell. The soundtrack really made the experience of watching the film pleasant, and added to that feel of authenticity.

First, if you're interested in independent films and want to buff up on knowledge regarding the USA Film Festival, I highly recommend seeing this movie (which was awarded a second prize at the 1978 USA film festival). Furthermore, If you're interested in the development of regional cinema, I highly recommend seeing this movie. Lastly, if you're interested in everything Texas then I really, really recommend seeing this movie.

However, if you are interested in entrepreneurship and are an entrepreneur at heart, I must provide you with the following cautionary notice. First, this film will tear aspiring entrepreneurs to pieces with the very realistic portrayal of failed business ventures and the ups and downs that come with entrepreneurship. Every entrepreneur has their own reasons for embarking upon a business venture. In "The Social Network", Mark Zuckerberg is presented as an entrepreneur who invents Facebook to impress a girl that dumps him. Additionally, the Facebook film portrays the entrepreneur behind Napster as a man driven to impress an unrequited love that gave him no attention in high school. However, when you view "The Whole Shootin' Match" you will not really know the true motivations behind Loyd and Frank's entrepreneurial activity.

Maybe viewers will see Loyd and Frank's entrepreneurial activity as a way to avoid holding down a job. Maybe they'll see their efforts as a means to provide income for women chasing and alcohol benders. I think such judgments would be rash, however. I believe Loyd and Frank are two men engaged in the worthy pursuit of self-sufficiency and personal stability. Indeed, sometimes a successful entrepreneurial idea can serve as the "magic bullet" to provide an individual with sustained income and financial security. Unfortunately, Frank and Loyd's "magic bullet" was taken from them. They say that entrepreneurship is like throwing spaghetti to the wall and going with "whatever sticks." Unfortunately, the noodle that stuck for Frank and Loyd was taken from them. This happens to a great deal of entrepreneurs who "get their lunch eaten" by a bad deal or a competitor who abruptly innovates and "one-ups" their product. Go watch "The Whole Shootin' Match" to see how painful this common occurrence is.