The 1950s and early 60s psychological western at its best, in films like "Naked Spur", "Liberty Valance" and "Seven Men From Now", skillfully melded character with action to achieve a mood of uneasy, exciting ambiguity. At its worst, as in "High Noon" or "Shane", this sub genre devolved into pure good guy versus bad guy morality play or high school civics lesson. Or, as here, it soft peddled the western part and went way overboard on the psychology piece to the point where it feels like Kirk Douglas' character, gunman Brendan O'Malley, has spent six months in a desert mental wellness facility, under the twin care of Dr. Trumbo and Dr. Aldrich, being treated for acute schizophrenia, sadism, repressed rage, delusion and sexual perversion. It is a credit to Douglas' acting ability that he manages not only to survive this two hour therapy session without embarrassing himself but is actually fun to watch. As for the other cast members they range from decent (Dorothy Malone, Carol Lynley) to hambone (Joseph Cotten, deciding that Irish equals scenery chewing) to stolidly dull (Rock Hudson, who is tasked with the unenviable role of the anti Douglas). And the complete wastage of two of the great western character actors, Jack Elam and Neville Brand, makes you want to shake both Trumbo and Aldrich in hopes that they'll come to their senses. C plus, mostly for Kirk.
Review of The Last Sunset
