MovieChat Forums > Rio Bravo (1959) Discussion > This is an almost Chekhovian western

This is an almost Chekhovian western

posted 13 years ago by ducdebrabant
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Shootings punctuate it, but most of it consists of small, underplayed human interactions by an ensemble of varied characters in a circumscribed place, and a spattering of non har-de-har character comedy. And the acting is mostly (Brennan excepted, of course) very unshowy and finely judged. Rick Nelson, in my opinion, doesn't even make the smallest mistake. He's not big on the screen in any way, and he needs all the others to play off, but he holds up his end extremely well.

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[–] Errington_92 13 years ago

Shootings punctuate it, but most of it consists of small, underplayed human interactions by an ensemble of varied characters

Your comment reminds me of the opening scene which I felt was done brilliantly. Character's actions instead of words brought us into their world. Their actions were their emotions, which gives Rio Bravo an expressionist feel. The expressionist element again comes into play when the main antagonist warns the protagonists. Instead of warning them verbally, he uses music as an expression of his violence emotions. In my opinion Rio Bravo distinguishes itself from most Westerns due to its expressionism.

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