A nice, attractive film with compelling acting all around dealing with a cynical floozy befriends grim cowboys in this sad and dramatic story. Concerning a motley group of roles in the twilight of the American frontier, and developing emotional cripples searching for a meaning to life. Most of them are failed cowboys scratching an unhappy living around the rodeos.
A downbeat and tragic film with competent interpretations from leads Montgomery Clift Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe. For the two latter it was their last film and nearly the end for Clift. Lending an almost prophetic testament when the movie proved to be the final of the line. Montgomery Clift provides the best acting in the picture as a rodeo ex-star to follow his death soon after. They are very well accompanied by Eli Wallach and Thelma Ritter. Marilyn Monroe is magnificent as the Reno divorcee who becomes a sort of earth mother and sensitive conscience to a bunch of tarnished cowboys. But it actually comes excellent results to be the mustang round-up at the end, with overly moving and and symbolic sequences. Interesting and thoughful script by Arthur Miller, at the time Monroe's husband. And brief appearances from Stelle Winwood, Kevin McCarthy and James Burton.
It packs an evocative and atmospheric cinematography in black and white by Russell Metty. As well as thrilling and stirring musical score by Alex North. The motion picture was splendidly and superbly directed by John Huston. It was made in the 60s when Huston made pretty good films as Freud, The list of Adrian Messenger, The night of the Iguana, Reflections in a Golden eye, though he also had some flops as The Bible in the beginning, Casino Royale, Sinful Davey, A walk with love and death and The Kremlin letter. Rating 7.5/10. Better than average. Worthwhile seeing. The flick will appeal to Monroe, Gable and Clift fans.
