Jane Fonda as the outlaw Cat Ballou is good, but as a feminist icon only barely scratches the surface. The fact that she needed to be so supported by men as she avenged her father's murder speaks to another era of film-making. Lee Marvin, either sporting a metal nose as the villain, or being a kind of drunken master as Cat's hired gun gives a fun performance, though the Oscar surprises me. My favorite member of the gang is actually Jackson Two-Bears, a Native American raised by white folk who nevertheless owns his identity. This is a light western comedy, vaguely amusing rather than actually funny, with a plot and characters you want to follow, but direction that lacks the dynamism of stronger efforts. It's just kind of there, on the screen, and your pulse rate never really goes up. The exception is the inclusion of Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye as a chorus, dropping by to sing another verse of the memorable Ballad of Cat Ballou. The music is certainly a highlight. I wish the rest of the film sang half as well.
My 2 most favorite genres are comedies and musicals so I was prepared to love this. But it was shit. And the stupid songs are encouraging my headache. How is this on any list?
As I expected, I really didn't think much of this movie. The only bright spot was Lee Marvin's performance. Marvin was exceptional as the drunken sharpshooter. Jane Fonda was her usual self. Personally, I've never liked her or her movies.
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si_reid
I don't like to criticize movies too much, but how is this in the AFI Top 10 westerns? along with McCabe and mrs. Miller I find it terribly overrated.Camille Deadpan
Ahh Nat King Cole!Siskoid
Jane Fonda as the outlaw Cat Ballou is good, but as a feminist icon only barely scratches the surface. The fact that she needed to be so supported by men as she avenged her father's murder speaks to another era of film-making. Lee Marvin, either sporting a metal nose as the villain, or being a kind of drunken master as Cat's hired gun gives a fun performance, though the Oscar surprises me. My favorite member of the gang is actually Jackson Two-Bears, a Native American raised by white folk who nevertheless owns his identity. This is a light western comedy, vaguely amusing rather than actually funny, with a plot and characters you want to follow, but direction that lacks the dynamism of stronger efforts. It's just kind of there, on the screen, and your pulse rate never really goes up. The exception is the inclusion of Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye as a chorus, dropping by to sing another verse of the memorable Ballad of Cat Ballou. The music is certainly a highlight. I wish the rest of the film sang half as well.afirm
I love westerns, and I really like musicals. I thought this was good, not great. But the song keeps hauting me..NuclearPlanet
My 2 most favorite genres are comedies and musicals so I was prepared to love this. But it was shit. And the stupid songs are encouraging my headache. How is this on any list?ClassicLady
As I expected, I really didn't think much of this movie. The only bright spot was Lee Marvin's performance. Marvin was exceptional as the drunken sharpshooter. Jane Fonda was her usual self. Personally, I've never liked her or her movies.