June 8, 2007
Red River
No matter how many times I see that movie, and I saw it again last night, the last scene always makes me cry.
If there is such a thing as perfection - then that last scene in Red River - from the moment Dunson rides into town - through the last moment - with Dunson tracing the new brand in the sand - is perfect.
Tears! Always tears.
That's just because the damn thing works - on a primal, almost physical level. You know what I mean? My tears are not dependent upon surprise, or not knowing what is coming, or anything having to do with the intricacies of the plot. The tears have to do with the perfect expression of each moment ... from moment to moment to moment to moment ... in the last 10 minutes of the movie. And those last 10 minutes run the gamut! We've got suspense, rage, defiance, an AWESOME fist fight - like, seriously, one of the all-time greats, and then a fantastic emotional monologue, panicked, and urgent, we've got a revelation, we've got some humor (like John Wayne is truly frightened by the little lady with the gun), we've got reconciliation - each thing fulfilled to its absolute maximum. Nothing over the top, nothing treacly or sentimental - just perfect. Not that the rest of the movie isn't perfect as well - I'd be hard pressed to find a false moment, or a moment that doesn't work in Red River ... from the one on one scenes, with great dialogue - to the spectacular cattle drive scenes - but it's the fact that spontaneously, by the end, I find myself in tears every time I see it ... It's the same thing as Apollo 13. The last 10 minutes of that movie ... I've seen it how many times? Doesn't matter. The catharsis comes.
I so appreciate any art that works on that level. It seems to me to be rare.
Here he comes. Here he comes to claim what was his. Look out!
Thanks so much, Sheila, for making me feel not so alone once again...;-)
I have a couple of those films as well, although I myself rarely cry -the catharsis manifests itself through freezing and staring at the screen, tense as if I hadn't already seen it...well, MANY times.
I love Red River, I love the ending (though, I do feel it cuts off very abruptly after the new brand is drawn in the sand) and I'm not ashamed to say I already saw it three times this year (Wayne's 100th is such a treat TV-wise!).
In fact, I remember back then it was the first time I truly appreciated John Wayne in a film ("But,he's...brilliant!").
Also, it's a shame so few people actually remember Monty Clift these days - such an extraordinary, intelligent, intense actor; I liked a lot what you wrote about him in your "Making of the Misfits"-piece(great in its entirety, BTW ;-)).
So, thanks again...
Poor Montgomery Clift. He just breaks my heart.
Posted by: PatrickP at June 9, 2007 1:47 AMIt's one of the saddest of all Hollywood stories. Breaks my heart, too.
But to see him here - young, gorgeous, confident, wonderful actor ... It's odd, to think of what he became, and what a tortured life he led.
Posted by: red at June 9, 2007 8:01 AM