Lonely Are The Brave - Movie Review! ***** 5 Sparklers

Hey there! I've been watching SO many movies I decided I wanted to tell YOU about em! So here we go... 5 Sparklers is the BEST rating, for future reference.

Kirk Douglas, Walter Matthau and Gena Rowlands in the 1962 'fish out of water story' "Lonely Are The Brave". See link to IMDB - Internet Movie Database... for writer/director/etc details... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056195/

GRRRRRREAT movie, thumbs up, 5 of 5 stars.... Very satisfied after watching this movie... It has heart, love, buddies, heros, villians, comedy, violence, tragedy... everything... even a real story that isn't overdramatized or over 'testosteroned' or over 'actioned' like movies of today. Yes, it's only in black and white, but you will forget about that in 5-15 minutes. I'm giving a range for you guys who have problems understanding that black and white is actually a form of film... hang in there and WATCH IT!

I was never much of a Kirk Douglas fan until in the last couple years I sat down and really watched the movie Sparticus from beginning to end. That was pretty good but it just brought him up to par with me. I mean let's admit it, that movie has quite a few scenes that are 'cheesy', out of date. Then the other night I watched this movie... WOW!!! Now he's quite respectable in my book. Go Kirk Douglas, go Kirk Douglas, go Kirk Douglas goooo! (Ok that's a Speed Racer reference, but it's sincere!)

What did I like about the movie? Kirk is a Cowboy, the real thing, riding a horse with a shotgun, his home the open country. The opening scene is terrific - he's laying on his back on the earth, somewhere in the prickly fields of who knows where, enjoying the clouds in the serene blue sky above him, when shockingly 3 aircraft (military jets I think) scream across his view, intruding his tranquility. It seems two worlds are colliding, the old west and the 1960's.... Almost too bizarre at first, he rides 'Whiskey' the horse into town... past the busy highway - confusticating and terrorizing poor Whiskey and probably himself.

The movie goes on; there is terrific acting (mostly) by Gena Rowlands, young and beautiful as I've never seen her, playing the former love interest and current wife of Jack's (K.D.) best friend. OK, there is one moment with one line that threw me - something about her delivery seemed fake, but overall and particularly her opening scene - fan-tas-tic... Walter Matthau plays the local Sheriff with wit, whimsy and intelligence - a terrific character role he nailed. Many other actors play supporting roles small and large, very familiar faces to you movie lovers!

The story is really quite good, with all the ingredients most people want in a good movie, it makes you think, too, about the contrast between the past 'simple times' and today's 'fast pace'. I'm very curious to read the book it was based upon.

NOW - What didn't I like? Ok, ok ok, there are just a few scenes that are a little, um, tiny tiny bit, ummm, strange? I mean, basically the film REALLY holds up - it's 47 years old for god's sake!! But there are a couple scenes that mmmmm, don't work for me. That first scene with the horse crossing the highway - I mean, how could a real cowboy not get his horse across the road FAST? But then, maybe I need to do a little horse research or talk to a rancher... If any of you are horse people out there, let me know....moving on... Then there was the one moment with Gena I mentioned... just a flash and it was over and I was right back in the 'suspension of disbelief'!

Regarding the possibility of outdated scenes? I think the only part that could be a contender is the Sheriff's Deputy dispatcher... just a couple of moments that I almost even hesitate to mention it... probably at the time it was fine but now it's just a little tiny bit cheesy... but ALSO keep in mind that some of the scenes need to be held in the context of the time - the late 50's early 60's - so bear with that too.

The very last scene is interesting also, but I don't want to ruin it for you! There was something that maybe you could question in terms of Kirk's reactions... Or, lack of them... overall, do you want more from him - or is it the nature of Jack!? Now THAT'S a conversation to have, with you, after you see this movie!!

That's it for now, kiddoos.... Give me your thoughts, rave or rant... Love it!

Hugz,
Rebecca