Review of McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) by Mister C — 17 Apr 2004

A co-worker loaned me this one and advised to turn the subtitles off. I usually like to watch with the English subs on, so I don't miss any dialogue. But, on Robert Altman films it's best to leave them off and just experience the lavish, lurid scene as if you were there, hearing the mumblings of the people in the bar.

Though a slow-moving western, it was a good experience. It reminded me a lot of Mash, as the staging of the ensemble scenes were a lot the same. Plus there was John Schuck and Rene Auberjonois in the cast of both Altman films.

Of course I was blown away by Warren Beatty for most of the movie and how he handled his character's arc from being a super-cool and confident card sharp to someone who's shaking in his boots over the reality that some hired gun thugs are out to kill him. I wonder if he had ever really killed anyone before, like the big bear hunter said?

The highlight of the film, though, was Keith Carradine, who absolutely stole the show as the young cowpoke.

Also, this must be the only time I've seen an actual working Case steam tractor in a movie. It must be historic. As a former steam threshing fan who used to take part in the Pontiac (Illinois) Thresherman's Reunion with my toy Mamod steam tractor when I was kid, I got a big kick out of seeing and hearing such a magnificent machine.