The lusty men of the title are irresponsible, bad with money, and courageous to the point of stupidity.
Nicholas Ray examines masculinity in this modern western drama set in the world of the rodeo.
One of only a handful of films that significantly changed society for the better. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Williams are also brilliant as his lover and his wife. Unable to come out of the closet, he can’t openly acknowledge who he really is without rejecting another, equally important part of his identity–the strong, manly cowpoke. Heath Ledger turns the stereotype of the strong, silent cowboy on its head, playing a man so beaten down and closed off from the world that every word is a struggle. Many of the characters, especially the men, try to model themselves to fit the western legend that was largely created by Hollywood. Unlike conventional westerns, these are not action movies they’re dramas and character studies.Īnd yet, traditional westerns are in their veins. They drive cars and trucks, watch TV, and seldom carry sidearms. These westerners don’t ride horses on the open range. Like westerns, they’re usually set in Texas, Colorado, Montana, and other states we associate with cowboys and Indians.
These are not westerns, although they echo that most American of genres. The films in this genre, or at least the ones I’ve seen, have all been excellent. It’s been around for more than 60 years and has never been recognized as such.
0 kommentar(er)
