The Sugarland Express (1974)

In Steven Spielberg’s theatrical debut, Goldie Hawn is a struggling mother who breaks her husband William Atherton out of jail to reclaim their son from foster care. Based on a true story, what follows is an often slow police pursuit across the state of Texas after the pair hold officer Michael Sacks hostage and eventually become folk heroes in the eyes of the public. Hawn gives perhaps the best performance I’ve seen from her, equally determined and vulnerable in her singular goal. It’s really a solid bit of storytelling with little excess from a young director now known for greater things.