Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Script review - "Rio Bravo" by Leigh Brackett and Jules Furthman

The central set up is great, I recognise the strength of its opening sequence, there's memorable characters - John T Chance, Dude, Stumpy, Colorado, Feathers - but it's not a great script. It's a series of scenes some of which are memorable (eg tracking down the killer with muddy boots, the Feather-John banter) others of which are repetitive (eg Dude being captured twice).

There's no build of tension - or suspense - I mean Chance sleeps in the hotel, and is always wondering off for a chat. It didn't make sense why the baddies would shoot Wheeler (the head baddy is supposed to be smart), the baddies aren't very memorable, Colorado doesn't get an end to his story.

I mean there's good stuff, and some great dialogue, and everyone is very tough and Hawksian and talking about being independent and professional. But I can't see why others love it so.

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