a-l-bobrick
This movie is the most charming, full of self-irony, cheerfulness and mystic depth a fairy tale that Clint Eastwood has ever made. Things do not just happen here. They happen just right the way he ever wished them to happen.The film could be taken as if it were of an entertaining genre at the first glance. However, it has a multitude of layers, which may keep you analyzing for about as much as you may wish to. It contains a deal of self-reflection, for Bronco Billy is the director's best self. It is much about finding and understanding oneself, for that is the journey Sandra Lockes character is taking. It is much about the western movie as a whole, and its loosing contact with the modern time. One can't but see parallels to Fellini's 'La Strada', maybe to Bergman's 'Sawdust and tinsel' and perhaps many more. And it is filled with plenty of small details, charged with good humour. And of course, as a fairy tale it is full of idealistic messages.Is is not a regular masterpiece, but it is a masterpiece. It is a meta-, reflective, essentially post-modernistic, masterpiece. Most probably will suit the taste of those looking for art and substance.
MartinHafer
I had assumed, incorrectly, that this film was some sort of biography about the old silent movie cowboy star, Bronco Billy Anderson. Well, despite the title, it is not. Instead, Bronco Billy (Clint Eastwood) is a modern fictional character--much like Buffalo Bill Cody with his wild west show, but on a much, much, much, much smaller scale. In fact, Bronco Billy's show is pathetically small and not the least bit impressive. And, as far as Billy is concerned, he is an ex-show salesman from New Jersey--hardly the western star you'd expect him to be. But Billy WANTS to be the prototypical western hero and often walks and talks like Roy Rogers and is a genuinely nice person.Into this poor but nice outfit comes a very spoiled and disagreeable young heiress (Sondra Locke). After treating her brand-new husband like dirt, he takes off--and with all their possessions. As she's in the middle of nowhere, she is forced, despite her haughty ways, to take up with Bronco Billy's show--and a long series of bad luck follows. In addition, Locke's nasty ways alienate her from practically everyone. While her clichéd transformation to a nice person is totally predictable and not one bit convincing, the film, inexplicably, is fun and worth seeing--mostly because it is so quirky and fun. For my wife and myself, we stayed up very late watching this one because there was this strange watchability to the film--possibly because the characters were just so darn strange...but likable. Worth seeing...but I am not 100% sure why! By the way, there did seem to be a hole in the film--but perhaps the Encore Channel somehow cut a piece from the movie. When Eastwood's character is being challenged by the nasty Sheriff, the scene suddenly ends. What happened here?! Did Bronco Billy kill the Sheriff, did angels divinely intervene or what?!
classicsoncall
I never thought the Bronco Billy Wild West Show would actually aspire to entertainment on a deeper level. Right after that great con job by Clint Eastwood's character when he makes everyone in the troupe feel good about not being paid, there was no reason to believe this was going to be anything more than pure popcorn. But throw in everyone's pathetic back story and a few freebies for the orphanage and insane asylum, and you begin to get a picture of Billy McCoy as a sympathetic character who really cares for and respects his friends. Round the story out with an original take on the 'you can be anything you want' theme, and you've got enough to keep you smiling for a good couple of hours. Even good old American patriotism gets a workout with the new tent put together by the loonies at the asylum, although the sight of all those flags sewn together might be enough to blur your vision.OK, so some of the story elements don't make too much sense, like why did Antoinette Lily's (Sondra Locke) murder ever gain any traction in the first place? Then there's Arlington (Geoffrey Lewis) taking the fall for a future payday. I'm not really buying any of that, but hey, it sort of works for the rest of the story to play out. I guess the thing to do is take a good pull of old Doc's snake bite remedy or a reasonable facsimile, and settle along for the ride. It's a side of actor and director Eastwood that can be every bit as instructive as his usually more serious fare.
rdambroso
I am a Clint fan..this was one of my favorites. Not a red carpet Oscar type flick...even better. One that is enjoyable to watch and leaves you feeling good when it is over. It's been a long time since I've seen it. I have seen it several times. The chemistry between Clint and Sondra is pretty noticeable. Living in Texas, I can say that in many ways it touches upon the nature of things here, the way friends stick together, and the overall feeling of kinship that exists between people from all walks of life. So, if you want to kick back and watch a hoot of a little movie, this is it. After watching it, you may just find out how many people you have touched in your life without realizing it.
AD
