Review of My Darling Clementine (1946) by Jared L — 05 Jan 2009

Itself a darling among Westerns, this film is an unreconstructed Ford piece where Mexicans and Indians are either drunks or scenery. But, it does provide a pretty well-rounded portrayal of Wyatt Earp. There are even a few (unintended?) moments which suggest a more androgynous, possibly bisexual Earp and pierce the hardened masculinity typical of the genre.

There is also the occasional point of stylistic brilliance, particularly the lighting when Doc and Clementine talk and the use of reflection in the scene thereafter when Doc smashes his diploma. Otherwise though, the film is a bit simplistic and dry.