This story of life in Texas over the course of 30 years is intriguing, but it's very self-indulgent and I found the last hour to drag. I thought that covering a smaller period of time might have made the film more interesting, but as a study of characters and change over such a long period of time, I found it dull and self-indulgent.
Some very good acting. I'd never seen Rock Hudson in a movie and he is a compelling actor. One can't take one's eyes off him even when his rancher Bick Benedict is a petulant or immature. Hudson conveys decency even though he is grounded in the racism of his region and, try as he might, finds this tough to overcome. Hudson conveys the internal conflict Benedict experiences superbly and I was very, very impressed by him.
Liz Taylor as young Eastern debutante Leslie Benedict, charmed by Bick when he comes to buy her horse, is smoldering in her liveliness. She is charmed by Bick but does not give an inch in standing up for her beliefs and what she thinks is right. It is the fundamental aspect of her character that attracts Bick (and Jet Bink (James Dean)) to her. Her unconditional love for Bick, colored by her stubbornness, enable her to survive and flourish far from home.
James Dean as the humorously named Jett Rink is a ranch-hand who is trusted by Luz (Mercedes McCambridge). He is mercurial but knows the ins and outs of the ranch. Dean's performance here once again reminds us of what was taken from us with his death. In spite of his sudden, electrifying fame, he is able to portray a shy, reserved ranch hand very well during the first two-thirds of the film. When he rejects Bick's offer to buy him out, choosing instead to remain, possibly on a hunch about the contents of the land, the course of the remainder of the film is set. Ultimately Jett strikes it rich but at great cost. Dean's performance as Jett during Jett's later years is excellent.
Also excellent in the film is Mercedes McCambridge as Bick's tough, masculine sister Luz who resents losing her status as the lady of the manor at Reata, Dennis Hopper as the plucky, principled eldest son of Bick and Leslie, and Chill Wills as laconic uncle Bawley whose cool demeanor and counsel helps Bick and Leslie survive some tough times.
As I said, I found this movie overly long. If it had focused on a shorter time period and perhaps downplayed Jett's transformation, or even have been made into two films, I might be able to give it a higher mark, but given its interminable nature, and in spite of great acting from all-comers, I can only give it six out of ten.
Some very good acting. I'd never seen Rock Hudson in a movie and he is a compelling actor. One can't take one's eyes off him even when his rancher Bick Benedict is a petulant or immature. Hudson conveys decency even though he is grounded in the racism of his region and, try as he might, finds this tough to overcome. Hudson conveys the internal conflict Benedict experiences superbly and I was very, very impressed by him.
Liz Taylor as young Eastern debutante Leslie Benedict, charmed by Bick when he comes to buy her horse, is smoldering in her liveliness. She is charmed by Bick but does not give an inch in standing up for her beliefs and what she thinks is right. It is the fundamental aspect of her character that attracts Bick (and Jet Bink (James Dean)) to her. Her unconditional love for Bick, colored by her stubbornness, enable her to survive and flourish far from home.
James Dean as the humorously named Jett Rink is a ranch-hand who is trusted by Luz (Mercedes McCambridge). He is mercurial but knows the ins and outs of the ranch. Dean's performance here once again reminds us of what was taken from us with his death. In spite of his sudden, electrifying fame, he is able to portray a shy, reserved ranch hand very well during the first two-thirds of the film. When he rejects Bick's offer to buy him out, choosing instead to remain, possibly on a hunch about the contents of the land, the course of the remainder of the film is set. Ultimately Jett strikes it rich but at great cost. Dean's performance as Jett during Jett's later years is excellent.
Also excellent in the film is Mercedes McCambridge as Bick's tough, masculine sister Luz who resents losing her status as the lady of the manor at Reata, Dennis Hopper as the plucky, principled eldest son of Bick and Leslie, and Chill Wills as laconic uncle Bawley whose cool demeanor and counsel helps Bick and Leslie survive some tough times.
As I said, I found this movie overly long. If it had focused on a shorter time period and perhaps downplayed Jett's transformation, or even have been made into two films, I might be able to give it a higher mark, but given its interminable nature, and in spite of great acting from all-comers, I can only give it six out of ten.