In moderation, maybe. I can make a good case that the greatest movies of all time were made in the 70s because of that freedom. Jaws, space odyssey, clockwork orange, alien etc
I used to think it was the charisma of Martin Sheen that made the movie, but have changed my mind over the years.
It's beautifully filmed.
It's hard watching Kit do some of the bad things he did though.
Watching it I felt like I lived in that midwestern town. I could almost feel the heat, and such. I belive it was Texas?
Martin Sheen also did a movie with Linda Blair called "Sweet Hostage". It not the masterpiece of Badlands, but a good movie. I haven't seen on tv for years though. I thought it was good?