Amarga Recompensa

This movie was more than I expected when I saw it awhile back. It was certainly worth seeing again and I will see it again sometime. It was head and above what other independent productions were which is why I look for the independent productions. Also, I have enjoyed the performances of Matt McCoy.

It appeared to have a budget that shows that people believe on this movie put up the money to show their interest. The acting, writing, and directing were top notch.

It had a nod toward the spaghetti westerns and Tombstone. Not the sashes some of the gun hands wore. The costuming and appearance of the performers was pretty historically accurate. However they went over the line on how the women dressed when they rode out to take care of business. The same was also in Gang of Roses.

There were women in the Old West who had to take care of business and they were not embarrassed to switch their skirts to pants and the attire needed to get the job done.

Well done everyone.

Jim Wynorski makes movies so guys can see beautiful women naked. That's it. Story, plot, historical accuracy, mood, whatever, doesn't matter; how many great-looking women it has and how often they get naked is the main concern of a Jim Wynorski movie, and this one keeps up that noble tradition (sort of). Kelly LeBrock doesn't really do anything for me--her lips look like they've been injected with most of the world's supply of collagen--and she's never been much of an actress. Even in a low-budget--VERY low-budget--western like this one, she's over her head. However, the other three women, especially gorgeous blonde Kimberly Kelly, almost make the movie bearable. I say "almost" because, once you get past the gratuitous nudity--of which there actually isn't enough, which is astounding for a Wynorski epic--the movie has pretty much nothing to recommend it. Wynorski usually leavens his breaststravaganzas with a healthy dose of humor, but there's little of that to be seen here. Matt McCoy is so hilariously lame in his goofy aping of Clint Eastwood's "Man With No Name" character that at first I thought this movie was going to be a parody, in the vein of "Rustler's Rhapsody"--in the opening gunfight with three competing bounty hunters, you can clearly hear McCoy fire seven shots from his six-shooter--but unfortunately they played it straight, and it doesn't work at all. The acting, as has been mentioned, is for the most part subpar; although villain John Terlesky isn't half bad, McCoy, Ross Hagen as the sheriff and especially Jay Richardson as the chief bad guy are just terrible. The gunfights (I hesitate to say "action") are very poorly handled, the dialogue (can't believe they actually paid somebody to write that bilge) is laughable and there's not enough nudity to make up for its many shortcomings. I guess Wynorski just didn't have his heart in it. I give it four stars--one each for Kimberly Kelly's best assets and one each for Rochelle Swanson's, all four of which are displayed to their best advantage. Other than that, this "western" is pretty much a dud.

With the help of a Gunfighter three Girls show what "Girlpower" really means. It's a typically Jim Wynorski film and it's a good one. John Terlesky as bad guy Carver dressed in black and with that typical "bad-guy-look" has a few great and memorable appearances. The three beauties Kelly LeBrock, Kimberly Kelley and Rochelle Swanson are really worth to watch. Give this movie a chance. You will not be disappointed.

Matt McCoy is good in roles that fit him. The Hand That Rocks the Cradle comes to mind and the underrated Dead On. But this genre definitely isn't for him. The hardened bounty hunter comes riding in off the dusty trail looking spotless in his white duster and well groomed Miami Vice beard. He tries hard to channel Clint Eastwood stogies, macho voice and all... and it is just ridiculous. One or two more jokes and it would have been a great spoof or parody but it tries to be serious and just falls flat. I guess the only thing that's not flat about it are the breasts. That would be about the only thing that makes it more entertaining than watching paint dry or grass grow.

First off, I can never respect or pay any mind to this comment because the "critic" completely bashes Kelly McGillis...not so much that I am defending McGillis...but she ISN'T IN THE MOVIE.

Secondly, the movie wasn't that bad. It's obviously going to wind up on Cinemax at 3AM, but there's nothing wrong with that. It's not overly "raunchy" as the other comment claims.

The actors all did a good job...the only problem I had with it is that Kelly LEBROCK (not McGillis) has a British accent which she can't seem to kick...which is a continuity problem being that her "other sisters" all have western accents.