MovieChat Forums > Nevada Smith (1966) Discussion > Two rather big flaws

Two rather big flaws

posted 13 years ago by SeanJoyce
16 replies | jump to latest

This was an enjoyable revenge western with some gorgeous photography (where else do you get location-shooting in the desert, a swamp, and the mountains?) However, it has two major shortcomings that can't really be ignored:

1. Steve McQueen. I like McQueen as much as the next person, but as a young half-breed he's completely unconvincing. Not only does he strain credulity, but his performance leaves a lot to be desired. He covers the "novice, out of his element" aspect well enough, but as a guy consumed by vengeance, he treats his "quest" like a "lark".

2. Based on his time spent with the preacher, we're supposed to believe that he has "turned the other" cheek by not killing Malden. That's all fine and dandy, but it came at the expense of Cord life. There's no atonement as he rides off, presumably into the sunset, in blithe spirits while Cord lay dying on the other side of the ridge. He assumed culpability for what happened to Pilar, but not Cord. That's a pretty grievous ending, in my opinion, because he does not learn from his experience with Pilar but we're supposed to accept his spiritual "transformation".

"...if that was off, I'd be whoopin' your ass up and down this street." ~ an irate Tarantino

[–] quirt1 13 years ago

1. Was getting himself thrown in prison to get one of the killers a "lark?" I'm not sure that criticism is valid.

2. The last time Cord/Keith is onscreen is in town when Max passes him with Malden's gang and Cord yells his name.
AT the end of the film its possible that Max was heading back to find Cord and tell him the whole story. That's my theory at least.

[–] andyofne-75813 9 years ago

Perhaps not a lark but a stupendously stupid thing to do.

[–] bucky-283-385151 13 years ago

I don't know if this belongs under (1), or if it's a third flaw, but everyone calls him "kid," and Steve McQueen looks every second of his 36 years.

[–] georgeusx 13 years ago

White guys playing non-white guys? Try Charleton Heston playing a Mexican policeman in 'Touch of Evil"...or Louise Rainer in 'The Good Earth' for that matter. It's what they did back then.
Second flaw plays to plot. He didn't overtly kill Pilar. And he didn't kill Cord (simply maimed him). Transformation is secondary but there.....he lets Cord live.
Check out a similarly good film...."The Bravados".
Don't mention works of Hathaway and King in the same breath as Tarantino.

[–] schaffermatt54 13 years ago

He never tried to kill Cord; it was Fitch. Cord's the gun salesman who tries to help him in the beginning.

[–] lorenzb-2 12 years ago

After being shot three times, two in the knees, if Fitch (not Cord) didn't bleed to death or die of infection, he would be crippled anyway. That was worse than a quick death. Although he clearly deserved it.

[–] mike-848 9 years ago

Another flaw is when Max enters the General Store and orders a can of peaches and a book to learn how to read.
Then we see the can with the word PEACHES printed on it. If Max can't read, how did he know it was a can of peaches?

[–] Wuchakk 9 years ago

If Max can't read, how did he know it was a can of peaches?

Didn't you watch the movie? Max asked the cashier for a can of peaches and he gave it to him. He opened it for him too. So there was no need to read the label "peaches."

My 150 (or so) favorite movies:
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070122364/

[–] mike-848 9 years ago

No. Max looked at the can on the shelf, pointed to it and then he asked the clerk to sell him the can of peaches. It looked like he read the words on the can to me.

[–] Wuchakk 9 years ago

There was probably an illustration of a peach on the can. (Sorry for jumping down your throat!)

My 150 (or so) favorite movies:
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070122364/

[–] mike-848 9 years ago

I looked for an illustration, but couldn't see any. Just the word PEACHES and some other words.

[–] rockmail 8 years ago

No he doesn't point at anything, recognize anything on the shelves, or even look at the shelves. His hands aren't even raised. He asks for a can of peaches and the store owner grabs one for him.
You are totally imagining what you describe.

[–] NOTACLERK1 9 years ago

It is possible to memorize a word like peaches not know how yo read it but knowing it as a symbol.

[–] holchie 8 years ago

I haven't seen this movie, I was just browsing. However, is it possible he has bought peaches previously at this store and knew where they were on the shelf, so he could point to them? I love little disputes like this!

[–] MAGolding (1236) 7 years ago

About the possible redemption of Max/Nevada.

He is recruited for a planned holdup. The leader says shoot the guards to kill. He takes part in the planned holdup and apparently all the guards are killed. The outlaws, all guilty of murder, split up with their shares of the loot and Max chases the leader, the only one he cares about, and wounds him and leaves him begging to die.

Meanwhile the other outlaw murderers get away with their loot and Max is a murderer for not trying to prevent the hold up.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

That is about the most preposterous combination of drivel I have ever read