Review of Rio Bravo (1959) by Cassandra M — 10 Jan 2009
In terms of structure and character development, this is a fascinating movie. The first wordless sequences that introduce the story to the viewer are a textbook on how to establish time and place in an economical manner.
The story takes place in a small town in Texas, and director Hawks works hard to create his own universe. For the most part, the movie is filmed indoors, giving the story a strong sense of isolationism.
This technique forces the viewer to concentrate on characters and situations. It is interesting that such a character-driven movie doesn't utilize close-ups, which made me think that Hawks was very interested in showing how characters interact with the environment.
Even more interesting is the fact that our hero is not all that good. The main character played by John Wayne is a bit morally problematic because he is willing to operate outside the law. It reflects the sensibilities of Hawks and Wayne.
They simply dare people not to agree with their point of view, and that makes the film fascinating to watch. Wayne is such a charismatic movie star that it is almost impossible not to agree with his most questionable choices.
The script is excellent and the supporting cast is memorable (Walter Brennan steals many scenes as an old timer). I could go on and on about the film's great attributes, but I'm just going to say that I believe this movie is one of the great American films.
If you love westerns or you just want to see a near perfect film I recommend you to watch this masterwork. It's a classic.
This review of Rio Bravo (1959) was written by Cassandra M on 10 Jan 2009.
Rio Bravo has generally received very positive reviews.
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