★ 10 / 10
I thought this was a great movie. Obscure
Sarah O
I thought this was a great movie. Obscure and a genre I rarely watch (romantic comedy/cowboy) so it was pure luck I got to see it. Since Redford recently died…
I thought this was a great movie. Obscure and a genre I rarely watch (romantic comedy/cowboy) so it was pure luck I got to see it. Since Redford recently died, and I was already a fan, I wanted to see the films of his I had never seen (and some I had). Beautifully filmed and great acting by Fonda and Redford. The horse wasn't bad, either, though he didn't have too many lines. Especially loved the premise of the film, which was centered on the horse more than the people.
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★ 10 / 10
A surprisingly funny, romantic, heartfelt, and thoughtful Western
Matthew D
A surprisingly funny, romantic, heartfelt, and thoughtful Western drama about a cowboy who cares for a horse. Director Sydney Pollack’s Western romantic…
A surprisingly funny, romantic, heartfelt, and thoughtful Western drama about a cowboy who cares for a horse.
Director Sydney Pollack’s Western romantic comedy-drama The Electric Horseman (1979) is a lovely surprise to me. Pollack gives us a fun opening half making fun of shallow capitalistic corporations trying to see cheap cereal with a cowboy mascot, then he mellows out for a pensive second half with a cowboy taking care of a hurt horse. It’s very mature, but also quite entertaining. The jokes about the cereal promotions, the wisdom of the cowboy, the cute romantic flirtations, the wild car chase, and the quiet riding of the horse across the desert are all beautiful. Writer Robert Garland gives the cowboy grace, wisdom, foolishness, humor, cleverness, skill, and an aimless path to walk. The Electric Horseman is a strange, unique, and delightful Western that’s as funny as it is dramatically moving.
Robert Redford is fantastic as Sonny Steele, a worn and world weary cowboy. Redford gives Sonny a humorous and fed up personality. He’s likable and interesting as this complex tough guy. Redford clearly adores horses and really takes care of this prize stallion as he did in real life too. He makes Sonny feel like a cool rodeo cowboy, amusing cereal mascot, then a true hero for freeing this horse. Jane Fonda is funny and pretty as his love interest Hallie Martin. Her journalist is treacherous, annoying, amusing, romantic, and fierce with a big personality.
Valerie Perrine gets a wonderful supporting role as Sonny’s ex-wife Charlotta Bell, who shows affection and sorrow at their failed marriage. She’s so stunning in The Electric Horseman. Willie Nelson is delightful acting as Sonny’s rancher manager Wendell Hickson. He’s kind and considerate with a real sweetness to him. John Saxon is a riot as the cereal CEO Hunt Sears, who wants his prize horse back. Will Hare is funny as Sonny’s old pal Gus Atwater.
Editor Sheldon Kahn’s cutting lets us get to see the jokes, the journey, and the scenic landscapes without ever dragging down the storytelling. 122 minutes fly by as you gaze at cinematographer Owen Roizman’s stunning far wide shots of deserts, mountains, fields, and long winding roads. The close-up shots of Robert Redford’s ponderous cowboy Sonny are fantastic. Bernie Pollack’s electric cowboy suit for Redford is a scream once you see it. His blue denim jacket and blue jeans for Redford are a cool look for Sonny.
Composer Dave Grusin’s soft score is lovely and fits the melancholic tone of The Electric Horseman. Willie Nelson contributes several songs here for real Country songs and authenticity. “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys,” “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” “Midnight Rider,” “So You Think You’re a Cowboy, and “Hands on the Wheel” are fantastic Country folk tunes by Willie Nelson. His forlorn voice is both sweet and melancholic. He admires the cowboys for their courage and free lifestyle, while also warning against their wayward ways. His songs perfectly fit the conflicted feelings of The Electric Horseman.
In short, Robert Redford is amazing as ever as the forlorn and considerate cowboy Sonny, who just wants to free a horse, much like finding his own freedom in life.
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★ 10 / 10
Funny in 2 hours even!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
Stephen C
Funny in 2 hours even!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Funny in 2 hours even!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
68%
TOMATOMETER
· 19 reviews
58%
AUDIENCE
· 2.5K ratings
6.5/10
10.2K
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RIP Robert Redford