“Bushwhacked” is a 1995 comedy film about a hapless delivery man who becomes a fugitive when he’s framed for a crime. The film is filled with zany hijinks and slapstick humor, as the main character tries to clear his name while on the run from the law. It’s like “Home Alone” meets “The Fugitive”, with plenty of laughs along the way.
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Review
The Power of Persuasion in Bushwhacked: How a Lovable Conman Can Win Our Hearts
“Hey kids, wanna see a dead body?” That’s how the mischievous and charismatic Max Grabelski (played by Daniel Stern) introduces himself to a group of Boy Scouts on a camping trip. He claims to be their new leader, but he’s really a delivery man who has accidentally become a fugitive. His adventure as a fake scoutmaster and his attempts to clear his name while avoiding real criminals form the plot of the 1995 comedy film Bushwhacked. However, there’s more to Bushwhacked than meets the eye, especially if you look at it through the lens of Robert Cialdini’s six principles of persuasion.
Let’s start with reciprocity. Max begins by offering the boys some candy bars that he stole from his boss, without telling them that they contain laxatives. This trickery backfires when Max eats one himself and suffers from diarrhea in the woods. However, he later earns their gratitude by saving them from danger and teaching them survival skills, even though some of his methods are unorthodox and dangerous. By giving before taking, Max establishes himself as someone who cares about their well-being and earns their trust.
Next comes commitment and consistency. Max knows that he needs to keep up appearances as a scoutmaster if he wants to avoid suspicion from both the kids and the police. He therefore adopts not only a uniform but also a code of conduct that he tries to follow as best as he can. He also encourages the boys to do their best and rewards them for doing so, even though some of them doubt his abilities or question his authority. By sticking to his role and reinforcing theirs, Max creates a sense of shared identity that motivates everyone involved.
Third is social proof. Max realizes that if he wants to blend in with the scouts and avoid scrutiny, he needs to mimic their behavior and attitudes. He observes how they talk, walk, and play and copies them as much as he can. He also plays to their desire for approval by pretending to be impressed by their skills and achievements, even if they are not necessarily impressive. By mirroring their norms and values, Max gains acceptance from the group that he wants to manipulate.
Fourth is liking. Max knows that he needs to charm not only the boys but also the adults who might cross his path or help him in his quest. He therefore uses his wit, humor, and empathy to win them over. He flirts with a single mother who runs a gas station where he stops for supplies, tells jokes to a park ranger who questions him about his credentials, and commiserates with a retired detective who believes that Max is guilty of murder. By showing interest in their concerns and making them feel good about themselves, Max gains allies who might otherwise have been his enemies.
Fifth is authority. Max is not just a conman but also an actor who has some real knowledge and experience that can be useful in survival situations. He therefore presents himself as an expert in various domains such as tracking animals, building traps, or identifying plants. He also uses his acting skills to impersonate other characters or manipulate information in creative ways that help him achieve his goals. By using his credibility wisely but sparingly, Max gains influence over others without arousing suspicion.
Finally, there’s scarcity. Max knows that time is running out for him to clear his name and avoid being caught by the police or killed by the real criminals who framed him for the murder of his boss’s son. He therefore becomes more desperate and daring in his actions, taking risks that put himself and the boys in danger but also prove his resourcefulness and resolve. By making himself scarce in terms of trustworthiness or time left, Max creates a sense of urgency that motivates himself and others to act.
Bushwhacked is not a perfect movie, nor is it a classic of its genre. It received mixed reviews from critics and did not do well at the box office. However, it has something that makes it endearing and entertaining, which is the character of Max Grabelski played by Daniel Stern. Stern is best known for his roles in Home Alone and City Slickers, but he also shines here as a leading man who combines physical comedy, verbal wit, and emotional depth. He carries most of the scenes on his shoulders and rarely falters in his performance.
The supporting cast of kids, adults, and villains is also competent and likable enough to make the story work. The direction by Greg Beeman keeps things moving fast without sacrificing coherence or charm. The soundtrack by David Newman adds some flavor to the scenes without distracting from the action. The cinematography by David Hennings captures the beauty of the wilderness where most of the film takes place without indulging in sentimentality or exploitation.
In conclusion, Bushwhacked may not be a masterpiece or a classic comedy film, but it has some qualities that make it worth watching and analyzing from a perspective of persuasion theory. By using Robert Cialdini’s six principles of reciprocity, commitment/consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity strategically and creatively, the character of Max Grabelski becomes both a conman who fools others for his own gain and a hero who helps others for their sake. He embodies both our worst instincts and our best aspirations as human beings: to survive adversity with wit and grace while making others laugh or learn something useful. If you haven’t seen Bushwhacked yet or haven’t watched it lately, give it a chance with an open mind and heart. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you find there.
Technical Data
- Release : 1995-08-04
- Runtime : 90
- Genre : Adventure, Family, Comedy, Action
- Cast : Daniel Stern as Max Grabelski, Jon Polito as Agent Palmer, Brad Sullivan as Jack Erickson, Ann Dowd as Mrs. Patterson, Anthony Heald as Reinhart Bragdon
- Crew : Sandy Veneziano as Production Design, Bobby Farrelly as Screenplay, Bobby Farrelly as Story, Charles B. Wessler as Producer, Mary Zophres as Costume Design
- Revenue : $7,919,823
- Budget : 0
- Company : 20th Century Fox
- Popularity : 9.861
- Summary : A inept courier realises he has been used by criminals to deliver money. On the run from both the criminals and police, he poses as a Scout leader and leads a scout group on a hike through the mountains.
- Tagline : They wanted a great adventure. What they got was “Mad Max” Grabelski.
