Melvin and Howard

Directed by Jonathan Demme from a screenplay by Bo Goldman – two of the great filmmakers of the 1970s and 80s – Melvin and Howard (1980) tells the mostly true story of milkman Melvin Dummar (Paul Le Mat), who picks up a cranky, injured desert rat, gives him a ride, and discovers years later that the man may have been Howard Hughes (Jason Robards), who apparently has left Melvin millions in a disputed will. A shiningly affectionate look at striving, dreamy American life, also starring Mary Steenburgen and Pamela Reed.