Rancho Deluxe

A truly funny, gentle, intelligent movie. A rare cinematic experience, in that the surprise ending doesn't leave one feeling manipulated. Slim Pickens' performance was on a par with his work in Dr. Strangelove. A great "western" for those who,like myself, don't particularly like "westerns".

Never mind the movie, Monsieur Pickens' performance in this film is a significant event in the history of cinema. If he'd never done any other films, except perhaps Dr. Strangelove and Blazing Saddles, he'd live forever in my memory simply for the scene in Rancho Deluxe where he describes his dream of being in Egypt in the days of the Pharaoh, and expresses consternation at having that dream disturbed. And the speech he gives at the end was another of those earth-shattering moments that stick with you like flies to mayonnaise. Ah, what an actor. Every time he's IN the movie, he's the one you're watching to see what he does, because you know it'll be something you'll remember.

I've learned over the years that it's the supporting players who make the movie. And in some respects, in many of his other movies, Slim Pickens always seemed a kind of updated Andy Devine, western comic relief but not much else. In this (and in the other two films I mentioned) we get to see another side of M. Pickens. More than a clown, he's a one-man show, as much of a scene stealer as, say, a vaudevillian in a movie full of Shakespearan actors. To tell the truth, the rest of the movie is occasionally disappointing, although Sam Waterston was fascinating to watch, showing a promise which sadly never fulfilled itself. Clifton James and particularly Elizabeth Ashley are great fun. Curt and Burt, played respectively by Harry Dean Stanton and Richard Bright, are more or less adequate. Jeff Bridges acts just like Jeff Bridges.

However, hands down, this is Slim Pickens' movie. The man was brilliant, what can I say.

I liked "Rancho Deluxe," although it wasn't double-over-with-laughter funny, it had its moments. The film reminded me of many Peckinpah films since it touched on the "new money" meets "western ways" conflict Peckinpah examined in many movies, particularly in the comedy "The Ballad of Cable Hogue." Indeed, Jack and Cecil are rather anachronistic with their "profession" of cattle rustling, or killing rather, and it was if they were TRYING to get caught. I mean, if you're rustling, wouldn't you just swipe the cow off the range in a trailer instead of SHOOTING it? Interesting to see Waterston as somewhat of anti-authority figure--I say "somewhat" because amidst the wackos in the movie, no one is really an authority--these people would stumble over their own shadows. Enjoyable, and definitely a beer-and-popcorn time passer.

You've gotta love these whimsical '70's flicks. And, it was interesting seeing a younger Sam Waterston after so many years of seeing him play a character with the gravitas of Jack McCoy. Kudos to Charlene Dallas, even though, according to IMDb, she didn't have much of a career. An enjoyable film to watch. Grade: B+

Rancho Deluxe is a western comedy starring Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston. This movie was filled with interesting couples. First, we meet Jack (Jeff Bridges) and Cecil (Sam Waterston), friends looking for their way in the West. Jack is an easy going kid, looking for the easy road in life. Cecil is the brains of the duo and is fiercely proud of his Indian heritage. Together they make quite a pair. In and interesting scene we learn a bit more about their backgrounds and find Jack comes from an extremely well-off family and Cecil's father is a proud Indian too. This helps to understand them better. The next couple are the girlfriends, Betsy and Mary. They are just as quirky as their boyfriends. And the dialogue between the girls, is as funny as the guys, and makes you believe they really are sisters. Next is duo, John and Carla Brown. They are former beauty shop owners, who now own a ranch. Silly cowhands, Kurt and Burt, are the next two interesting characters. And lastly there is Uncle Henry (Slim Pickens) and niece Laura. They come and stay at the Browns' ranch to help solve the mystery of the movie. Which is, who is killing John Browns' cattle? Uncle Henry is nothing short of hysterical as he appears to be doing nothing to help solve the crime he was hired to solve. Niece, Laura, is not as dumb as she is playing either.

Mix all these colorful couples together along with a mystery to be solved and you have Rancho Deluxe. The best part is that none of the characters seem to take themselves too seriously with the exception of John Brown. He seems to be the only one not to be in the jokes of the movie. And this makes his role even funnier. So, relax and enjoy Rancho Deluxe and watch everyone get what they deserve in this fun western.