Saw Too Many Westerns As A Kid

bkoganbing

Edward Norton plays a disturbed young man who apparently saw way too many westerns as a kid and starts thinking of himself as a cowboy. He dresses the part, creates a whole new identity for himself from South Dakota and one day invades the lives of a family with some horrifying results.

Bored California Valley Girl Evan Rachel Ward picks him up while on the way to the beach with friends and its an instant attachment. Father David Morse doesn't like Norton from the gitgo, but Norton even makes a convert of Ward's younger brother Rory Culkin.

It's a strange film, but with some fascinating performances by the cast members, especially Norton. He's really so bought into his own self mythology that he almost convinces the audience he's genuine. In fact his special place is a former western studio set where towards the climax of the film, he finds them shooting a remake of My Darling Clementine as he wakes up. Of course in the middle of all this, real law enforcement finds him, setting up the climax.

It's an interesting film, but I wonder did they ever finish that remake of My Darling Clementine?

score 6/10

bkoganbing 24 June 2006

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1401541/