Born in 1967, Laura Dern is an American actress known for her compelling performances in cult and genre films. She made her mark in Blue Velvet (1986), where she plays the enigmatic Sandy, and further showcased her talent in Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (1982) as the rebellious lead. Dern's early career also includes roles in Foxes (1980) and White Lightning (1973), where her performances contributed to the gritty narratives of the era. Her work in these films cements her status in the world of cult cinema.
White Lightning
Bobby "Gator" McKlusky is serving time in an Arkansas prison for running moonshine when he learns that his younger brother Donny was murdered and that Sheriff J.C. Connors was the one behind it. Gator knows the sheriff is taking money from local moonshiners, so he agrees to go undercover for an unnamed federal agency (presumably the IRS or BATF) to try to expose the sheriff. His handlers force him onto Dude Watson, a local stock car racer and low-level whiskey runner. Watson has no choice but to cooperate because he himself is on federal probation or parole. To infiltrate the local moonshine industry, Gator lands a job running moonshine with Roy Boone. He also starts an affair with Boone's girlfriend, Lou. When the sheriff discovers Gator is working for the federal government, Connors sends his enforcer, Big Bear, after him. Gator decides to go after the sheriff, leading to a car chase, in the course of which the sheriff is killed, thereby completing Gator's revenge.
