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Rio Bravo (1959)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
12/04, 10/25
10/25:
After speaking out publicly against High Noon, John Wayne went on to
have his own version seven years later: Rio Bravo.
The results are mixed. For starters, it's too long. All I see is John Wayne and his deputies walking around
and having a lot of idle talk with an occasional gunfight. Just cut as much as possible to achieve a running
time of one hour and forty minutes. The big battle at the end is totally underwhelming, causing me to say,
"That's the payoff?" How about these bad guys who are barely developed?
Angie Dickinson has a meaty role, but she's at best eye candy. That being said, the less of her, the better.
The last ten minutes is what I am talking about, overstaying its welcome. Plus, John Wayne is too old
for her (they're 25 years apart in age), and their romance is laughable. Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez as the
innkeeper is another time-waster.
Ricky Nelson is miscast, having been used to bring in more theatergoers for extra profit. Even
Howard Hawks didn't want him in Rio Bravo, calling him "too young and too lightweight." Walter Brennan is
Walter Brennan for the umpteenth time. When is he going to stop being cantankerous? Dean Martin steals the
film for the most part. He should've gotten an Oscar nomination. There might have been some Method acting
going on. In fact, Dean Martin asked Marlon Brando for advice in how to play the role.
John Wayne is undoubtedly the man, ruling over everybody in the town with plenty of quiet intimidation. That's
why they call him "Duke." He also has iconic shots, most especially when walking out of the stables through the
door to prepare the hostage exchange.
All in all, despite the terrific performances by John Wayne and Dean Martin, it's impossible to watch
Rio Bravo in one sitting.