WYATT EARP
A film review by Sue Roberts
Copyright 1994 Sue Roberts
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan Starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Dennis Quaid, Michael Madsen
I knew as little of this man's legend as anyone in Britain. The film tells the story of how this famous lawman stood up to the scum of the Wild West and brought them to heel. It stretches back into his past to show that, had his family not stood by him, he might so easily have gone the way of his opponents.
Work in which Costner is involved often has an uncanny feel for the mood of the moment. ROBIN HOOD, PRINCE OF THIEVES was received with great delight in the U.K. as ridicule was poured upon the first attempt to re-introduce a "poll" tax since medieval times.
The music was lovely and I'll still be humming that hint of D'Oyly Carte in a week's time. One beautifully photographed vignette followed another. There is not a typical "vigilante" picture. The historical perspective of lives caught up in the turmoil of social change reminded me of a work like ROSA LUXEMBURG by Von Trotta. The psychology of the hero unfolds at the pace of THE LEOPARD. But, Visconti's style is more "quiet Italian villa."
I saw the TV show about the immense research involved in the making of this picture. And many of its scenes are packed with people. I longed to hear the clutter of their voices in the background, layer upon layer, reading snatches of the biography, the newspaper reports, the wanted notices, the Old Testament, the creak of wood under their feet, that distant gunshot when Doc. says "Tombstone...."
By any measure of standards, this is a film of quality. I mean, compared to BEVERLEY HILLS COP III, where someone attempted to make a comedy script into a thriller!
But if the foreign dubs are not yet ready, perhaps there is a chance to go for a "Director's Soundtrack." I'm sure it would be worth it.
Sue Roberts chrisrob@cix.compulink.co.uk
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