A soldier returning from Vietnam agrees to smuggle some heroin for a friend but the Feds are on to the scheme. Nolte is dynamic as the cynical war vet who becomes a reluctant drug runner. Weld is fine as a drug-addict hippie. However, it is Moriarty who steals the film with his hilariously deadpan performance as a somewhat dim-witted fellow who sees drug dealing as a way to make a quick buck. The banter among Moriarty and agents Masur and Sharkey is often quite amusing. Although it opens in Saigon, Vietnam is not the focus of this film, unlike two high-profile films released the same year, "The Deer Hunter" and "Coming Home." Instead, this is a morality tale about drugs.

Disaffected journalist John Converse (superbly played by Michael Moriarty) enlists the aid of his gruff, weary and unsociable ex-Marine friend Ray Hicks (a fine and commanding performance by Nick Nolte) to smuggle a stash of heroin from Vietnam into the United States. When the drug drop goes sour, Hicks and John's sad, neurotic pillhead wife Marge (an excellent Tuesday Weld) go on the lam. Director Karel Reisz, working from a gritty and incisive script by Judith Rascoe and Robert Stone, astutely nails the pervasive cynicism, bitterness, moral erosion, paranoia, and disillusionment of the Vietnam-era early 70's while maintaining a steady pace throughout and expertly building a considerable amount of gut-wrenching tension. This film further benefits from the uniformly exceptional acting from a top-drawer cast: Nolte, Weld and Moriarty are all outstanding in the leads; they receive sterling support from Anthony Zerbe as ruthless corrupt federal narcotics agent Antheil, Richard Masur as ferocious psycho thug Danskin, Ray Sharkey as Danskin's jittery, sniveling partner Smitty, Gail Strickland as smooth connection Charmain, Charles Haid as slimy Hollywood dope dealer Eddie Peace, and David Opatoshu as helpful farmer Bender. Robert H. Kline's grainy, yet still polished cinematography, the bleak, harsh, depressing and unflinchingly nihilistic tone, Laurence Rosenthal's rousing score, a wickedly sardonic sense of pitch-black humor, the first-rate soundtrack, the profane, but poetic dialogue, an exciting and well-staged climactic shoot-out, and the devastating downbeat ending are all spot-on as well. An absolute powerhouse.

"Who'll Stop the Rain" is an edge of your seat thriller set during the Viet Nam war. It features one of the early successes of Nick Nolte.

The story opens in Viet Nam where a burnt out reporter (Michael Moriarity) tries to make some easy money by smuggling two kilos of heroin (rather than his usual marijuana) to the U.S. He enlists as his currier Nolte who is somewhat reluctant at first but agrees. Nolte shows up at Moriarity's home to collect his fee from Moriarity's wife (Tuesday Weld) and then the fun begins. Two bogus federal agents (Richard Mazur, Ray Sharkey) begin to lay claim to the smack. They are joined later in the chase by their boss, a corrupt federal agent (Anthony Zerbe).

The performances are top notch all around. Nolte is suitably macho in one of his first big roles. Weld is overwhelmed by the events but soon gives in to Nolte's plans. Moriarity is also good as the naive husband who thinks he can make a quick buck to compensate him for the horrors he has experienced in Viet Nam. Mazur and Sharkey are outstanding as the brutal sadistic heavies and Zerbe is as slimey as ever as the chief baddie.

The Nolte character is somewhat of a mystery (at least to me). Who is he? What is he doing in Viet Nam? Is he a soldier of fortune, a mercenary? or what? He has a run down shack in Los Angeles where he has buried an assault rifle. In Arizona he has an elaborate mountain top hideaway complete with an amphitheater and loudspeakers that play Hank Jones music. None of this is explained to my satisfaction.

What the movie does have is a good story great acting and an entertaining soundtrack featuring Creedence Clearwater Revival.