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KutWrite's Replies
Rrebenstorf: Yes, I think "One-Eyed Jacks" and even "Appaloosa" were in the same vein as this movie.
Maybe it's the Williams harmonica score, but somehow "The Cowboys" also fits.
I love a film with a potent, interesting, quirky villain!
(that brings to mind a non-western Brando film: "Night of the Following Day," co-starring the strong Western villain actor, Richard Boone.
I agree, Scockery.
At the end, Jane says she's "found a place for Vern." That implies a home of some kind. Caring for Braxton was Vern's life. I saw him as a sad and pathetic character.
Braxton drove his women off with his obsession for the farm. Jane says at the beginning that her mom was just bored with all Braxton's talk of numbers and ran off the first chance she got. Jane indicates she feels the same "itch."
I did feel Braxton had a "thing" for his daughter - note how she avoids his lingering touch at the beginning when she gets him that book. He also spies on Jane and Tom's various dalliances... as Clayton spies on him doing so.
There is a hint of Braxton's sexual inadequacy, and his overcompensating by micromanaging the ranch.
Then, there's the question of Clayton's sexuality. As someone else here has said, it probably reflects Brando's bisexuality. Maybe also Nicholson's possibly improvised comment when he brushes the suds away and says "My God; you're not even there." So Clayton's handling of the Creedmore and the "Mexican Pistola" are certainly penis substitutes.
It's fun to find that stuff!
You know that was John Williams, right? Of Star Wars fame.
He would've been about 44 years old at the time, just beginning to make a mark.
I liked the use of Toots Thielemans' harmonica, esp. for the spooky parts where Clayton is hunting the various gang members. I think he did that more effectively, though, in the movie "The Cowboys." The harmonica theme for Bruce Dern's evil character was chilling.
But yeah, the tinkly parts, trying to remind us it's a comical part (e.g. the train robbery) jangled on me, too.
Young boys in those days were put to work very young. This kid is a miner of some kind, maybe Silver.
You notice everyone in that town has a hustle. Remember the tailor ("Ja... it fits!")?
The kid is anxious to make a few bucks from this newly rich horse rustler, so he waited outside the outhouse, expecting more tips and a good meal.
I think it's more a sign of the times that someone might read "pedophilia" into this scene... OUR times, not that of the film.
Yes, he did mutter part of the Kaddish.
I took it as foreshadowing his own death.
More likely a Brando embellishment than the script indicating he was Jewish.
Pretty much what others said, re: He knew right from wrong, could've walked away, could've called the cops, etc.
One addition: Jennifer was showing him, in his last moments, what COULD have happened if he had been good to her, even maybe not coming to her a 2nd time to kill her. Instead, his choices led to receiving his just desserts.
Very well said.
I'm trying to find out what "Cambreau" means. I think it's something like "Change Maker," or may have to do with an "arch," as in a cathedral.
another thought: Moll was not a cartoon villain; he had some interesting dimensions, esp. toward the end.
I was thinking self defense.
There's no proof he stole the car, or that anyone did. The "gambler" who took it to Vegas probably got it re-titled in Vegas... POOF! No car. MacKay tried to extort the other employee, too, so would he be eager to press charges for attempted anything?
There's evidence that MacKay, during the extortion, pulled a gun on Danny, which could be at least Assault with a Deadly weapon. Then Danny, in fear for his life (his lawyer would say), fought the larger MacKay and knocked him out via a choke hold. Fearing MacKay might come after him again, he took his gun and went on the lam.
So: The evidence would possibly stack up to the holdup of Shorty (no weapon used), and the burglary of Nick's arcade. The cops seemed unusually sympathetic to Danny, especially CHP man Ray Teal (Bonanza's Sheriff). With no record, that sympathy, and the obviously high falutin' lawyer, what, 2 years and maybe some probation?
He'd owe Nick restitution, but half of it he'd get back from Mackay, and Vera ("truth?") would take her coat back & cough up the other half, right? So Shorty's injuries, missing dough, and the lawyer's fee would round out the payback.
...and he'd end up with Helen, who'd work her butt off to help pay off that jalopy!
Win-win-win!
I could feel his conflict, though, especially at the end.
I liked Price a lot in his swordplay movies. I'd have to look up the names, but he was quite nasty and detestable in them. Also, he was a capable fencer, as shown in his sword battles. It made him a formidable villain.
I always loved his voice, too. It's hilarious that in "Futurama," one of the evil "Mom's" two incompetent boys is an imitation of Price's voice.
Thanks so much for doing this!
I really would have missed these boards. I love so many of the commenters' insights and hard work.
I'd like to donate, but don't see a PayPal icon. I much prefer that to those sites that get credit card info.
Yeah, but it was when I was 20 or so.
I wasn't mature enough to fully appreciate them.
Now, I'm "too mature."
"Why would Margo be interested in a gross guy like that?"
Do you know how many times a girl has dumped me and I've asked myself that same question?
He had drugs.
You win with that one!
I noticed several instances of "Australia for Miami," though I'm not sure about the "boy" usage.
How Jess says certain words, such as "Father," show some Oz accent.
Street signs and house styles.
...and I think they all, including Jess, died on the sailboat. The God, or "a god" Aeolus, sent the punishment.
All but Heather are being punished for something, perhaps sexual misconduct or disloyalty, in addition to Jess' Sisyphean punishment for not paying Charon the "Driver," as she promised.
Apparently, the others are all being punished for something, too. They keep being killed over and over and even crawling over their own bodies from previous deaths. None are in control of anything, it seems.
Except for Heather. She dies only once. Thus, I'd say, innocent of wrongdoing.
Interesting that discussions have been going on for years. That's a compliment to the movie!
Yes, and many other posts now DO mention the connection to the Sisyphus myth.
The key seems to be that she cheats the Driver out of his fare. This alludes to the mythical character Charon, the ferryman to the dead. The actor also looks pretty deathly... those hollow cheeks!
Wow! Very impressive!
Well done!
I had the same question.
Maybe "poor Heather" was actually lucky & only died once.
I agree about changing a pattern to break it. I'd show myself when they came to board and warn them off.
But as with so many things, it's easy to kibitz when it's not happening to you. Plus, it was her "punishment from the gods," so she would be manipulated into reliving it.
One thing that surely would break it is to pay/tip the Driver handsomely!
That would be my guess.
She must receive some redemption, though, for "offing" BAD MOTHER Jess and replacing her with KIND MOTHER Jess.
If it were up to me, that is.