The true story of notorious bank robber Butch Cassidy and his partner
the Sundance Kid as they evade the law on their way to Bolivia. BIOPIC/WESTERN
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Butch Cassidy and
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I find it's always good to revisit films every once in a while. You never know when your cinematic experience has matured enough to fully appreciate something. I first reviewed this film back in 2015, and I straight up hated it. Thought it was boring, cliched, and a complete waste of time. Five years later, I watch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid again as prep for an episode of the Oscar Sunday podcast, and I understand. This film is a quintessential 60's western that uses the real life story of two outlaws essentially running away from progress as a way to say goodbye to the traditional American western.
Paul Newman and Robert Redford are fantastic in the title roles, playing off each other as only best friends really can. The have such perfect chemistry. Throughout the film, they are running from this so-called super posse made up of the best lawmen of the West. We never meet these guys. They represent the West thinning out; the train of progress hot on the trail of the last outlaws left. This movie takes place in the early 1900's, when law and order was finally in the West to stay. As we follow these two expert thieves, we sympathize with their desire to just enjoy life no matter what, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is an entertaining western that took me five years to fully appreciate. But I'm glad I'm in that camp. It sucks being the only guy who hates a classic, especially when you're completely in the wrong. This film is an American icon, and one of both Newman and Redford's best. |