Have said more than once about highly appreciating Westerns, though when it comes to film genres it wouldn't be my first choice when it comes to picking a favourite, and there are many great films in the genre. Absolutely love William Wyler as a director, the number of classic films he did are countless. The story sounded interesting as did the character of Judge Roy Bean. Personally like Gary Cooper, and this is the sort of role he always played very well indeed. Walter Brennan always shone in support.
'The Westerner' didn't disappoint me. When it comes to Westerns, while it's not one of my very favourites it is one of the most fascinating and most accessible as well as well made and entertaining. One of those Westerns where even those that dislike the genre normally are likely to find a lot to love or at least appreciate, and those that do already love the genre will love it even more. 'The Westerner' represents everybody involved extremely well indeed and deserves the positivity it has always gotten.
Almost everything is done right, no brilliantly even. 'The Westerner' is a very audaciously photographed film with a lot of atmosphere, with some sweeping camera angles that prevent the film from looking static or stage bound. The setting looks handsome and is evocative. Dmitri Tiomkin's music score is typically luscious and atmospheric with clever, complex and beautifully balanced structuring of his mood-enhancing themes, his distinctive style (when reading up about it and people analysing it it was incredibly illuminating and made me appreciate him even more).
Wyler directs immaculately, directing with typically impeccable taste, intensity and class. Although he was a notorious perfectionist, 'The Westerner' never struck me as clinical or emotionally cold, and although Westerns is not a genre one normally associates Wyler with he doesn't seem uncomfortable in it. The script is clever and taut, especially towards the end and especially in the interactions between Harden and Bean. The story is always compelling, there is a light-heartedness in places but a not held back grit in others. Absolutely loved how the entertaining relationship between Harden and Bean was handled.
Some of my friends consider Cooper on the wooden side and dull generally, personally don't agree. Not every role suited him, especially early on, but this role does and perfectly. At his best his acting is appreciatively natural and restrained and also with personal touches, which was pretty much what his whole acting style was, and all of that can be seen here in 'The Westerner'. Other Western leads may have more intensity, but Cooper underplays beautifully here and is likeable. Doris Davenport brings a lot of heart and charm to the picture and her character is more than just a plot device, in no way does his role slow the plotting down or feel like padding. Best of all is Brennan in a ferocious performance that is both sinister and charming, how he managed to make an evil character likeable says a lot about how good an actor he was at his best. He did deserve the Oscar he got for his performance here, but would make a strong case of him actually being a co-lead rather than supporting.
My only issue, and actually this is minor, was that the ending could have done with more tension and not been as too neat.
Otherwise, a great film and well worth catching. 9/10
'The Westerner' didn't disappoint me. When it comes to Westerns, while it's not one of my very favourites it is one of the most fascinating and most accessible as well as well made and entertaining. One of those Westerns where even those that dislike the genre normally are likely to find a lot to love or at least appreciate, and those that do already love the genre will love it even more. 'The Westerner' represents everybody involved extremely well indeed and deserves the positivity it has always gotten.
Almost everything is done right, no brilliantly even. 'The Westerner' is a very audaciously photographed film with a lot of atmosphere, with some sweeping camera angles that prevent the film from looking static or stage bound. The setting looks handsome and is evocative. Dmitri Tiomkin's music score is typically luscious and atmospheric with clever, complex and beautifully balanced structuring of his mood-enhancing themes, his distinctive style (when reading up about it and people analysing it it was incredibly illuminating and made me appreciate him even more).
Wyler directs immaculately, directing with typically impeccable taste, intensity and class. Although he was a notorious perfectionist, 'The Westerner' never struck me as clinical or emotionally cold, and although Westerns is not a genre one normally associates Wyler with he doesn't seem uncomfortable in it. The script is clever and taut, especially towards the end and especially in the interactions between Harden and Bean. The story is always compelling, there is a light-heartedness in places but a not held back grit in others. Absolutely loved how the entertaining relationship between Harden and Bean was handled.
Some of my friends consider Cooper on the wooden side and dull generally, personally don't agree. Not every role suited him, especially early on, but this role does and perfectly. At his best his acting is appreciatively natural and restrained and also with personal touches, which was pretty much what his whole acting style was, and all of that can be seen here in 'The Westerner'. Other Western leads may have more intensity, but Cooper underplays beautifully here and is likeable. Doris Davenport brings a lot of heart and charm to the picture and her character is more than just a plot device, in no way does his role slow the plotting down or feel like padding. Best of all is Brennan in a ferocious performance that is both sinister and charming, how he managed to make an evil character likeable says a lot about how good an actor he was at his best. He did deserve the Oscar he got for his performance here, but would make a strong case of him actually being a co-lead rather than supporting.
My only issue, and actually this is minor, was that the ending could have done with more tension and not been as too neat.
Otherwise, a great film and well worth catching. 9/10