Hello! Welcome to the FREE Monday newsletter where I give you my unsolicited movie recommendations! This week, we’re looking at a couple of movies that feature Robert Redford on the run.
The Chase
This movie is probably more remembered for Marlon Brando’s performance as Sheriff Calder rather than Redford’s turn as an escaped convict named Bubber Reeves (I am not kidding), but whenever I come back to this movie I don’t really think about either of them, funnily enough. I always come back to Angie Dickinson.
In The Chase, Dickinson delivers what I consider to be a master class of a supporting performance. Brando is good in the film, but I don’t think he would be near as strong without her there to bounce off of, without her there to give context to his choices. It’s a really quiet performance in a movie that’s full of flashy ones, but for my money, it’s also the best. I wrote more about it here.
The Old Man & the Gun
And more than 50 years later, he’s still got it! The Old Man & the Gun is one of the most charming movies I’ve had the pleasure of watching recently. It’s the type of crime movie that’s all about the love of the chase – where the detective trying to find the criminal has begrudging respect for him, almost doesn’t want to catch him, because that would mean it would all be over. And who would want it to be over when everyone is having this much fun?
Redford brings all the charisma, but there’s also a really lovely meta-textual sentiment baked into the film that’s equal parts melancholy and sweet – a shot of Redford on a horse made me a bit weepy, I must admit.
Thanks for reading!
Initial reaction to Redford. Not well known movies. I applaud you dusting these off. For a guy that knows Redford's career pretty well - I must admit I have never seen these two. And for a movie to have Redford, Brando and the impeccable Angie Dickinson - well - in my horrible Texas drawl - well shoot Saammiiie - how in tarnation did I miss this one? Love Angie. Another off the cuff Redford is Brubaker - great prison movie with breakout performance by Morgan Freeman, Yaphet Kotto, and Jane Alexander. Interested also in your comment about almost admiring the bad guy. Great example of that is Al Pacino pursuing Robert De Niro in HEAT! Redford on a horse - obviously Butch C and the Electric Horseman. I get your emotional reaction. Favorite Redford movies are All the Presidents Men. And of course The Natural - Someday when you are walking down the street - I hope you hear a passerby saying - "There goes Sammie Purcell - the best there ever was"
Oops! I apologize, it was Faye Dunaway. Oh well, still liked the movie.