cocteauaddict

Normally, I like my films to conclude in ninety minutes. Most films aren't good enough to last longer- except the great ones- and this is one of them. A great, masterful story that is not afraid to take its time. How many stylish westerns have I seen? Well, I can count them on one hand- and this one has style to burn. The acting and the photography were sublime. And the faces! What glorious faces! I so enjoyed this cast. Henry Fonda was just delicious in an atypical role. Claudia Cardinale was at her most beautiful. Jason Robards and Charles Bronson were just wonderful- and I am not a Bronson fan, by any means. I've heard that the opening sequence of this film is "too long" with "nothing going on." Nonsense- it sets up the entire film. And who can forget the sweeping score- one of my favorites. I can watch this film back to back with my other favorite- "The Wild Bunch"- and believe me, that's a lot of sitting! And well worth the time invested.

Yes, this film is terrible- horrific and just plain bad. But I like it, and I'm not ashamed to say it! Normally, this is not my kind of film, as I prefer obscure classics. But this film is so bad, so truly bad- it's good. See how earnest the cast treats this dreck? They're really into it, man! And what a story! Don't you wish that your pals picked you up in their little red sports car on a free trip to Palm Springs after you screw up on the "Whiz Bang" TV show because you want to be a STAR? Gil Peterson, as the erstwhile mutant heartthrob, has to be one of the world's worst actors... and he has ever so much competition. My fave moments: Don't miss Teri ("Young Frankenstein") Garr as a go-go dancer! Don't miss Gil Peterson soulfully singing an uptempo version of that Doris Day classic, "My Secret Love." And please, don't miss my favorite character in the whole darned movie: that sad little dancer doing his darndest James Brown shake and shimmy- I nearly died from laughter.

This is not a classic film. It won't be on any "Best Of" Lists. It is simply a wonderful film that you can enjoy when you want to see a good movie. I keep returning to this one, because it provides pure, unadulterated enjoyment. It is glossy entertainment, and unabashedly romantic. A perfect rainy afternoon movie.