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Junior Bonner(1972) is an extreme contrast to the severe brutalty of the infamous Straw Dogs(1971). Sam Peckinpah shows a side of him in the film that is a rarity in many of his movies. Pictures such as The Wild Bunch(1969) and Straw Dogs(1971) presents stories that deal with the cynical and dark elements of the human soul. In films like The Ballad of Cable Houge(1970) and Junior Bonner(1972), there is more emphasis on the positive nature of the human spirit. Junior Bonner it seems is a reflection of the director's true character more so than his violent pictures.
Junior Bonner(1972) was the first film that Steve McQueen did for Sam Peckinpah but not the first film he worked worked with the director. Six years earlier, he was doing the film, Cincinnati Kid(1966) with Sam Peckinaph before the director was fired during filming due to disagreements with the producer. One Sam Peckinpah theme that is present here is the theme of alienation. As in the director's other features, Ace Bonner Jr is a relic of the past who does not fit in with the ideas of the present or future. The relationship between Junior and his brother Curley is lukewarm but close.
Steve McQueen liked the experience of working with the director on the movie that they would team up again to do The Getaway(1972). The opening credits are excellently edited in with scenes from the film. Sam Peckinpah's direction for Junior Bonner is expertly done. Ida Lupino gives the best performance for an actress in a Sam Peckinpah motion picture. A beautiful film that is should be considered as one of the best films by Sam Peckinpah.
score 9/10
eibon09 26 April 2001
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0124310/ |
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19-2-2021 12:05:10