There's so much wasted potential in this mixture of Hollywood exploitation and murder mystery (totally obvious) that falls flat, I call this "Sundown" or "Total Eclipse". James Garner, perfectly cast as Wyatt Earp, is asked to be technical adviser on a Tom Mix western about his experiences, and finds himself involved in murder. Bruce Willis, cast as Mix, has little of substance to do, while Malcolm McDiwall, as a sleazy studio head, is completely deplorable. This also paints an ugly picture of women in early Hollywood history as deviant, dangerous and disgusting.
Other than British actress Patricia Hodge (as McDowall's abused wife), the women (Mariel Hemingway, Kathleen Quinlan and Jennifer Edwards) are really bad, and such ridiculous moments set in a lesbian run brothel filled with movie star lookalikes and later the alleged first Oscar ceremony are melodramatic and absurdly over the top. Director Blake Edwards alternates in films between major successes and massive misses, and this falls along the later thanks to a really ridiculous plot and a trite script. The film goes into overdrive with a very violent finale that had me rolling my eyes nonstop. Garner retains his dignity by being the only really memorable element of this film. It may look pretty, but this "Sunset" stinks. Topping off this hot sludge sundae is a tagline added as the credits started to roll that just increased my dislike of the film as a whole.
Other than British actress Patricia Hodge (as McDowall's abused wife), the women (Mariel Hemingway, Kathleen Quinlan and Jennifer Edwards) are really bad, and such ridiculous moments set in a lesbian run brothel filled with movie star lookalikes and later the alleged first Oscar ceremony are melodramatic and absurdly over the top. Director Blake Edwards alternates in films between major successes and massive misses, and this falls along the later thanks to a really ridiculous plot and a trite script. The film goes into overdrive with a very violent finale that had me rolling my eyes nonstop. Garner retains his dignity by being the only really memorable element of this film. It may look pretty, but this "Sunset" stinks. Topping off this hot sludge sundae is a tagline added as the credits started to roll that just increased my dislike of the film as a whole.