Wild Bill
Audiences overlooked this film, one of the better westerns in several years, featuring yet another terrific performance by Jeff Bridges, America’s most underrated movie actor. As James Butler Hickock, he captures the sense of a man at the end of his career, one of the first media superstars who discovers that his legend is more burden than blessing. As he heads toward his final hand of poker in Deadwood, South Dakota, he flashes back to his younger days and the events that built his reputation, even as he copes with encroaching blindness caused by syphilis. Walter Hill blends action and elegy, utilizing a screenplay based both on Pete Dexter’s novel Deadwood and on Thomas Babe’s play Fathers and Sons. Wild Bill features strong supporting performances by John Hurt (as a Hickock sidekick) and Ellen Barkin (as the tough, lusty Calamity Jane)–but the centerpiece is the sad, manly performance by Bridges, who more than measures up to the part. –Marshall Fine
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Good Movie with Two Exceptions
I thought this was a pretty good movie and western with two glaring exceptions. They are David Arquette and the girl who played Kelly Bundy on Married with Children. Both are very poor actors and are completely out of their element (whatever that is) with these other pro’s. Jeff Bridges is great as usual. The story follows pretty closely to the real life legend of James Butler ‘Wild Bill’ Hickock. I enjoyed it. Lots of good action and also some very funny moments. Also the costumes and set designs were very good.
4 Stars Superb Performances And Excellently Directed; BUT Poor Production With Little Historical Accuracy
I first viewed “Wild Bill” because it sounded like a great western, and at the time I was watching DVDs non-stop to help distract my attention from the extreme pain I was experiencing prior to surgery. I must have been more medicated than I remember, as I just watched the movie again, after purchasing it based on the fact that I “remembered” it as being a really terrific and enjoyable western, and I was appalled at the production errors and “historical bunk” in the film. Yet, while I did not enjoy it as much as I “remember” enjoying “Wild Bill,” I still think that the film is terrific thanks to some truly memorable performances and crisp direction.
When I compare it to other films out there, and keep a “healthy thought” that “Wild Bill” is a movie about the “Legend” and not the “real, historical person,” I find myself wanting to give the film five stars. Beyond a doubt, the film is one of Jeff Bridges finest performances; and the drama and action are awesome.
Then I remember counting the number of times Wild Bill fired his two pistols (which were pron to misfires) in the shoot out in the livery and I cringe. I cannot be certain, since the film does not actually always show Wild Bill’s shots (you frequently just hear them, and see their effects), but I got a count of 29 rounds–more than double what he could have realistically fired. Nonetheless, the scene is pure excitement and deepens the “Legend” of Wild Bill. Conversely, I think the director did a marvelous job of editing in the great use of black and white “dreams” that help “recall” Wild Bill’s “legendary life.”
On the other hand, Charlie Utter, Hickok’s friend and life-long companion is denigrated–or so I see it–into John Hurt’s completely fictional character Charley Prince, an English gentleman who self proclaims himself, through Prince’s narration of “Wild Bill,” to be a fellow “drunk and gambler,” who has become a “friend” (and traveling companion) to Wild Bill. While the funeral scene is better than many, it still failed to capture the true impact of Wild Bill’s death on the community of Deadwood; and Charlie Utter’s efforts to give the funeral dignity. Despite the fact that Wild Bill had been in Deadwood only a few days, according to historical accounts nearly every person in the camp–as well as many from elsewhere–attended the funeral; for even on August 3, 1876, it seems that “everyone” knew that a “true legend had come to an end.”
Update–1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.
5 Stars Wild Bill
This is a very good movie and very true to fact of the life of Wild Bill Hickcock. The only thing is that Calamity Jane was fugly as can be, not as good looking as Ellen Barkin!
2 Stars Big Jeff Bridges fan but…
This was ok and Jeff Bridges did an excellent job but somehow this was missing that overall spark. A good western but a little flat. Other than Jeff’s performance, nothing really stood out.
4 Stars An overlooked Western of the middle nineties!
Although the Prize as Best Actor will be announced the next March 7, I have no single doubt that at last, Jeff Bridges will win the deserved Prize, (repeating the feat respect the Golden Globe as Best Actor)through a constant and indomitable effort, along his formidable career.
To my mind there previous and remarkable films put me on advise about his formidable skills as actor. The first movie was “Fat city” from 1972 and directed by John Huston. The second was “The fisher king” directed by the Magician director, Terry Gilliam and the third entry was precisely this one, a film that realy was shadowed by “Tombstone”, the best Western of the nineties.
His performance was by far overwhelming and absorbing in this biopic about bill Hicock. Watch it, without regarding considerations of second order about if this biography was or not adjusted to the historical truth.
Enjoy it, and in case Jeff won the Oscar, he will abandon the place as the most underrated actor in Hollywood. Do you have any suggestion for his succesor?.