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- What Is ‘Johnny Guitar’ About?
- Roger Ebert‘s ‘Johnny Guitar’ Assessment
- Additional ‘Johnny Guitar’ Awards and Accolades
As a seasoned cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the celluloid world, I must say that “Johnny Guitar” stands out as one of the most memorable and impactful films I’ve ever encountered. This isn’t just another dusty Western tale; it’s stirring up traditional Hollywood conventions, but a bold, subversive, and downright groundbreaking work of art. Nicolas Ray’s masterpiece is a psychological thriller disguised as a Western, but also serves as a powerful commentary on societal norms and expectations. The film’s unapologetic portrayal of a bisexual woman challenging the status quo:
Even though Roger Ebert passed away in 2013 at age 70, his love for cinema remains palpable. As an ardent advocate of filmmaking, aspiring directors, budding critics, and avid moviegoers can learn from Ebert’s cinematic insight by exploring the films listed under his Great Movies category. Among timeless Western movies, Johnny Guitar, released in 1954, received a glowing 4-star review from Ebert.
As Johnny Guitar becomes available for streaming on Pluto TV, it’s fitting to revisit this film as it marks its 70th anniversary in 2024. Legendary actress Joan Crawford delivers an unforgettable performance as Vienna, the saloon owner, who crosses paths once more with her old friend Johnny Guitar (portrayed by Sterling Hayden), to defend against a vicious band of robbers. With Roger Ebert’s heartfelt approval, let’s explore why Johnny Guitar continues to stand out as a timeless classic 70 years after its debut.
What Is ‘Johnny Guitar’ About?
Under the guidance of esteemed American film director Nicholas Ray, a year prior to his groundbreaking teenage drama “Rebel Without a Cause,” the film “Johnny Guitar” tells a tale of feminine strength disguised within a conventional Western narrative. Derived from Roy Chanslor’s novel, the story revolves around Vienna (Crawford), a feisty, headstrong, and bold saloon owner who governs a small Arizona settlement.
In opposition from the town residents, Vienna endorses railway construction, which cowboys oppose, and hires Confederate soldiers as entertainment for her saloon visitors, under the command of her ex-lover, The Dancin’ Kid (Scott Brady). When adversaries Emma Small (Mercedes McCambridge) and John McIvers (Ward Bond) challenge Vienna to oust her from town, she receives aid from an unexpected arrival – Johnny Logan (Hayden), a mysterious character from her past, who timely appears on the scene.
Given only 24 hours to depart or face deadly retribution, an unsuccessful rescue attempt due to the railway construction hindrance leaves Vienna and Johnny with no choice but to hide. As the plot unfolds without giving away the thrilling ending, the narrative shifts from focusing on Johnny Guitar to Vienna’s quest for vengeance. This climaxes in a groundbreaking gunfight between Vienna and Emma, an event that was remarkably progressive for 1954. Despite their final outcome, both Johnny and Vienna emerge as equally unconventional heroes, symbolizing the film’s message of female empowerment. In many aspects, Vienna stands out as the more remarkable character.
Roger Ebert’s ‘Johnny Guitar’ Assessment
Despite Johnny Guitar not being reviewed by Roger Ebert when it was initially released, he wrote about the film in 2008 and highly recommended it. In his praise, Ebert recognized that director Ray cleverly disguised the film as a traditional Western but actually crafted it into a psychological thriller.
The 1954 film “Johnny Guitar,” directed by Nicholas Ray, is undoubtedly one of the most overt psychosexual dramas hidden within the broad genre of the Western.
Ebert delves deeper into the film’s underlying themes, interpreting it as a progressive statement advocating for inclusivity. He points out that Johnny Guitar presents a veiled exploration of a woman with bisexual tendencies who defies traditional masculine stereotypes and norms. Ebert carries on his analysis.
One of the most daring and stylistically unique films for its era, characterized by its offbeat, politically charged, and complex nature. Crawford acquired the rights to the original novel, with Nicholas Ray agreeing to direct. It’s intriguing to consider if they ever openly discussed the hidden themes in this movie.
One could say that Crawford’s tavern-owner from Vienna is undeniably bisexual; it has been suggested that she harbors feelings for ‘Johnny Guitar,’ but it’s been five years since they last saw each other. She possesses a unique charm that can easily transform rough men into effeminate ones, and her bartender comments to Johnny, “I have never encountered a woman who was more man-like.
In a passionate review, Ebert extols the film’s daring portrayal of unrequited lesbian love. He applauds Ray, Hayden, and especially Crawford for challenging conventional Hollywood norms, stating:
Each person associated with the production of this film had previously worked on numerous movies, was well-versed in film tropes and formulae, and likely understood the number of conventions they were challenging.
In Ebert’s perspective, the film “Johnny Guitar” transcends traditional sex and gender roles, but it also cleverly criticizes the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) witch hunt of 1954. This critique is intended to shed light on and condemn the HUAC’s efforts to identify and ostracize Communists in America, as noted by Ebert.
In a clever parallel, the investigation depicted and the efforts to make townspeople accuse each other mirror the House Un-American Activities Committee’s tactics in 1954, where they tried to compel suspected communists to reveal other supposed communists by naming names. This script was mysteriously written by Ben Maddow, a screenwriter on the blacklist. A poignant scene occurs when Johnny Guitar admits his true identity.
Additional ‘Johnny Guitar’ Awards and Accolades
Far from one critic’s opinion, Johnny Guitar has withstood the past 70 years to become an all-time beloved classic movie Western. In 2003, The American Film Institute nominated Emma Small for its list of AFI’s 100 Years…100 Heroes & Villains. In 2008, the AFI also nominated Johnny Guitar for AFI’s 10 Top Western Films of all time. Also in 2008, Johnny Guitar was chosen to be preserved by The U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” To mark its 50th anniversary, Johnny Guitar was adapted as an off-Broadway musical in 2004, furthering its lasting legacy in pop culture.
Reflection on the timeless Western movie “Johnny Guitar” has garnered praise from esteemed directors Martin Scorsese and Pedro Almodóvar. Notably, Almodóvar’s 1988 film “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” pays tribute to Vienna, while Scorsese admires how European audiences more readily embraced “Johnny Guitar” than Americans did. He describes it as an intensely unconventional movie with stylish flair, teeming with ambiguities and hidden meanings that make it strikingly contemporary.
Currently, Johnny Guitar boasts an impressive 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics’ consensus goes like this: “Johnny Guitar boldly marches through genre tropes, ultimately delivering a masterpiece that transcends its era — and left a lasting impact.” You can stream Johnny Guitar on Pluto TV.
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2024-11-22 01:02