Hombre (1967)
This movie was so ridiculous, I wish I could have taken two hours of my life back. Paul Newman plays the title character, a white man who chose to live among the Apaches because he thought they were a better, more honest people. In the opening scene, he’s shown with dark makeup all over his body and a long black wig on his head (even though he’s not an Indian). He’s told he’s inherited a boarding house, so he cuts his hair, wears “white” clothes, and visits the property. But miraculously, his hair transforms from the jet black in the beginning to the sandy blond we all know and love – with just a haircut! Despite the arguments from Diane Cilento, who currently manages the boarding house, Paul decides to sell it. Then he takes a stagecoach to get the sale finalized – but doesn’t that seem a little contrived? Couldn’t they have cut the entire boarding house section and given him another reason to take the stagecoach?
And for that matter, why did he have to be “pseudo-Indian” at all? It doesn’t really factor into the story; he could have just played a hardened cowboy that nobody liked. Once the movie transitions to the journey, it’s practically a remake of Stagecoach with all the stereotypes present: Diane Cilento is the hardened woman with a heart of gold, Barbara Rush is the prim and proper lady, Fredric March is her protective companion, etc. Martin Balsam plays the driver, an appeasing Mexican (yes, that’s right) who doesn’t like to take sides. Richard Boone plays the evil villain (what a surprise) who makes tons of mistakes. Instead of leaving everyone stranded in the desert, when they could easily figure out a way to survive (since the movie is only half over), he could have just spent a few bullets and killed them all. Then the movie would be over, the audience could go home sooner, and the ridiculous plot holes could be avoided.
Believe me, Paul Newman fans: I’m right there with you. I want to love all his movies, too. But sometimes, you just can’t do it. If the best part of the movie is when Margaret Blye flirts with Richard Boone then runs away screaming when he ups the ante and kisses her, then it’s not a very good movie. Skip this one if you want to keep loving Paul. Stick with Cool Hand Luke and Somebody Up There Like Me.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Martin Balsam movies here!
More Fredric March movies here!
More Paul Newman movies here!
And for that matter, why did he have to be “pseudo-Indian” at all? It doesn’t really factor into the story; he could have just played a hardened cowboy that nobody liked. Once the movie transitions to the journey, it’s practically a remake of Stagecoach with all the stereotypes present: Diane Cilento is the hardened woman with a heart of gold, Barbara Rush is the prim and proper lady, Fredric March is her protective companion, etc. Martin Balsam plays the driver, an appeasing Mexican (yes, that’s right) who doesn’t like to take sides. Richard Boone plays the evil villain (what a surprise) who makes tons of mistakes. Instead of leaving everyone stranded in the desert, when they could easily figure out a way to survive (since the movie is only half over), he could have just spent a few bullets and killed them all. Then the movie would be over, the audience could go home sooner, and the ridiculous plot holes could be avoided.
Believe me, Paul Newman fans: I’m right there with you. I want to love all his movies, too. But sometimes, you just can’t do it. If the best part of the movie is when Margaret Blye flirts with Richard Boone then runs away screaming when he ups the ante and kisses her, then it’s not a very good movie. Skip this one if you want to keep loving Paul. Stick with Cool Hand Luke and Somebody Up There Like Me.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Martin Balsam movies here!
More Fredric March movies here!
More Paul Newman movies here!