BCATSK has a lot of fun moments, and with the easy buddy chemistry between Redford and Newman, it's totally understandable as to why this one was a hit. It's violent, though, and dark, with that gang of faceless horsemen in constant pursuit of our heroes--an interesting, if somewhat obvious, metaphor for the fast-approaching future. Not as dark as its 1967 outlaw predecessor, Bonnie and Clyde, though. The (mostly) peppy Bacharach soundtrack contemporizes this Western, too, making the turn of the century setting feel a little like the late 1960's. I like this film. As I think about it, it's a film of transition. Technology overtaking the old west. The sixties ushering in the seventies. Newman cresting his peak of popularity while Redford is just climbing towards his. Maybe dark is the wrong word for this film. Maybe melancholy? Change can be exciting. But also scary. And sometimes sad.
Wuthering Heights is just one long, depressing slog towards its inevitable conclusion. Probably sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm not. The film is very effective. It looks amazing.Wyler masterfully sets the tone.
No comments:
Post a Comment