Review of The Outlaw (1943) by Daniel K — 15 Apr 2013
3: I can't say I've ever seen a Western quite like this before. This makes sense in a way given it was made by Howard Hughes (with Howards Hawks uncredited for two weeks of work). A Hollywood outsider with some rather odd predilections and phobias is bound to make interesting films, especially if he decides to make a Western about Jane Russell's rather considerable mammary glands.
They are indeed quite considerable and prominent. The framing is often rather amusing, as when the camera cuts of Russell's head, but follows her breasts across the screen as she moves from one end of the table to the other.
She is quite young as well. I've never seen a Western so focused on the psychology of its characters, their passions for each other, and above all sex. The passions of the male trio of characters (Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and Doc Holliday) extend not just to Russell, but to each other as well.
It is in some ways a bromance, made well, well before that term was coined. I can see why many thought the film scandalous, especially given the rather overt manner in which sex is alluded to. It is an ever present topic whenever Russell is on screen and more salacious aspects are barely kept off the screen.
The looks and score make it even more obvious. Every look from Russell seems like it could fry an egg and simply oozes sex. The score is over-the-top and ever so lusciously romantic. It is almost more romance and bromance than western actually.
The end is about as romantic ride-off-into-the-sunset as it gets.
This review of The Outlaw (1943) was written by Daniel K on 15 Apr 2013.
The Outlaw has generally received mixed reviews.
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