Saturday, September 25, 2010

Horizons West (1952)


Directed by Budd Boetticher
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Encore)

Robert Ryan is a bored soldier in Reconstruction era Texas who lets ambition lead him down the road to self-destruction in what could easily be described as a film noir western. Julie Adams is the love interest, married to heavy Raymond Burr, in the femme fatale role. As Ryan's rustling and murdering ways get out of hand, it's up to his father and brother to convince him to face justice or else. The more I see of Ryan's early work, for example his excellent portrayal of a washed-up boxer in The Set-Up, the more I believe he was one of Hollywood's most overlooked actors. He was only nominated once for an Oscar in a supporting role, but never won.

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