Oh Jennifer...

Duel in the Sun(dir. King Vidor)
I've been interested in King Vidor lately since I read an article that lumped him with John Ford and Howard Hawks. I'm sure, that nobody will say this film is his masterpiece or anything since I've read that David O. Selznick couldn't stop meddling with the picture. This is one grand epic soap opera with some scenes that are just completely ridiculous and some scenes that are just completely brilliant. The whole dispute over the train and all the men riding on horses was compelling in its grandness. The dance in town is also another moment that had me in awe over the grand scale of it. This western probably has the best production values of any western I've ever seen probably due to the fact it was one of the most expensive films of its time. Best scene in the film is actually not grand at all, but small and personal. It is between the Senator and his wife. She is dying and their relationship has been in a rut. She thinks he hates her and he professes his love to her. It such a small touching moment that could easily get lost in all the grand operatic scenes. Theres also scenes that are just laugh out loud bad like when Jennifer Jones's character wants to go with Gregory Peck's character and starts screaming and clinging to his leg to take her with him. The ending is in a way brilliant and completely presposterous. Allmovie says, "It's still good fun to watch, especially the riotous ending." I have to agree with that. Probably one of the most fascinating endings in it's sheer craziness and originality. I wouldn't say the end really works, but it still makes an interesting watch. There are moments that are just kind of dull and bland as well, but they are very uncommon. The lighting in some of the scenes are out of this world. I would label this movie as a flawed masterpiece.
***1/2 out of ****