Directed by: Nicholas Ray
Starring: Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge, Ernest Borgine, John Carradine
From: Republic Pictures
“There's only two things in this world that a 'real man' needs: a cup of coffee and a good smoke.”
This was another DVR watch-one recorded off of TCM in late June. After I posted my glowing review of Bigger Than Life, a mutual stated that this should be a Nicholas Ray I should experience. It took a few months, but that recommendation was one that worked for me. That doesn't always happen so thankfully this will be another glowing review.
The movie is more than just a Western where Joan Crawford plays what would nominally be a role played by a man. She's the boss and no one questions her based on her gender. She is Vienna, a lady who runs a saloon on the outskirts of town because soon, a railroad will pass by it. She allows former lovers to frequent the place even if they and their gang are bandits. Another fascinating note is that the two roles which do the most to drive the plot are acted by women; Mercedes McCambridge has a real ax to grind w/ Vienna. The titular Johnny Guitar is someone who you first only know as Sterling Hayden playing a guitar but of course he has a backstory. Tempers flare, there's a bank robbery, a posse is formed, and things get out of control.
The story is more complex than expected and it was a treat seeing all the characters interact with each other. I was gripped the entire time seeing this tale unfurl; the film is full of subtext and most of that I'd rather not spoil. However, I do have to mention that there is implied things between Crawford's and McCambridge's characters... who knows if that was intended, because the characters that feuded in part over a man were played by actresses who actually hated each other due in part over a man... you couldn't make something like that up. Now, this has the traditional trappings of a Western so that should satisfy genre fans-but it's far more than just a standard boilerplate entry filled with white hat or black hat characters and a damsel in distress.
Memorable characters, a nice cast (not too surprisingly to me, Ernest Borgnine delivered with his performance as a particular scoundrel), shootouts, a fiery moment, and acres of unforgettable dialogue... I won't regret not having seen this for 41 years and instead be glad that it was finally watched.
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