Movie from the 70s #2: THE SHOOTIST (1976) I didnt grow up watching a lot of Westerns, and as a result, John Wayne was barely on my radar. I think Ive seen TRUE GRIT and THE SEARCHERS and thats probably it, but both were top notch, and THE SHOOTIST is a helluva winner, too. The rather dire premise: Wayne plays J.B. Brooks, a legendary gunslinger whos dying. He finds out rather suddenly (and at the tail-end of the Old West, in 1901) that hes got terminal cancer. Lauren Bacall gives a great, understated performance as the widow who puts him up for his final days, Ron Howard is her likable son who maybe shouldnt idolize this ailing gunslinger so much, and theres a host of rough bastards whod like to go down as the man who punched Brookss ticket. Obviously this is a sadder, more reflective movie than most Westerns, but its also got a good script and a tone that doesnt get too melancholy. Its very watchable, which should come as no surprise from the director of the original INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, DIRTY HARRY, and ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ. Recommended. 4 stars out of 5
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:53:31 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015