This darkly comic Western anthology reflects on the unpredictability and brutality of life in the Old West. Across several loosely connected stories, characters pursue dreams of wealth, love, success or simply survival, only to be thwarted by chance, violence or human weakness. Even when things go smoothly, the endings are brutal. The atmosphere is playful, ironic and bleak. This time round, I appreciated the film more, not looking for a connection between the six vignettes, but simply enjoying the wit of each one.
“Englishman : I must say… it’s always interesting watching them after Clarence has worked his art. Watching them negotiate… the passage.
Frenchman : Passage?
Englishman : From here to there. To the other side. Watching them try to make sense of it, as they pass to that other place. I do like looking into their eyes as they try to make sense of it. I do. I do
Trapper : Try to make sense of what?
Englishman : All of it.
Lady : And do they ever… succeed?
Englishman : How would I know? I’m only watching!”