Movie #: 257 Title: McCabe and Mrs. Miller 1971

Rating: 8.80

Director (last): ALTMAN (first): ROBERT

Writer (last): (first):

Brilliant film, demythologizes the old west by converting glamourous image of individualistic gun-fighters into pawns of ruthless competing commercial interests... which is like saying "Cabaret" is about an actress. Defines the word lyrical. An extremely poetic, romantic film, filled with the raw mystery and beauty of life. The drunken, cowardly townfolk, the whores, pathetically impoverished women with no other place to go, who help put out the fire in the church, the opium sedated Mrs. Miller, the crass but likeable McCabe, up against the big guys, the ruthless corporation with dissatisfied shareholders. Obviously some metaphorical intent, but it is overwhelmed by the startling faces of real personalities, disfigurement, death. A great film, enhanced by music from Leonard Cohen. Some reservations: the relationship of Mrs. Miller to her whores is romanticized a little. She acknowledges their birthdays, looks after their health. The film omits observation of the financial terms of this relationship. These women usually saw very little of the money.

Is this movie a "gem"? No

Evil Twin: Pretty Baby

Good Twin: Working Girls

 

Added: 1976-01-01 [yyyy-mm-dd]