Pub.lished Movie Reviews
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
"The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" (2018) is an anthology of six tales of life and violence in the Old West. Each story follows a different character or group, including a singing gunslinger, a bank robber, a traveling impresario, an elderly prospector, a wagon train, and a perverse duo of bounty hunters. Each tale is largely disconnected from the others, yet they all share a common theme: death.
In the first story, "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," death is presented as a joke. Buster Scruggs, an underestimated gunslinger, dispatches his foes in a manner that is more comical than sorrowful. Even Scruggs' own demise is a visual gag, emphasizing the idea that death is merely the punchline in the joke of life.
"Near Algodones" presents death as an inevitability. The protagonist is constantly dodging death's door, facing a myriad of dangers that include shootings, hangings, and attacks by natives. In this story, life is depicted as a shaggy dog story, where the ending is known but the journey provides a brief glimpse of beauty and the absurd.
"Meal Ticket" offers a more somber look at death, presenting it as a part of life. The protagonists are always on the brink of starvation, and the disabled artist wouldn't survive without the impresario's care. Yet the impresario feels no attachment to the artist, viewing him merely as a means to avoid death. Ultimately, death is just a part of the struggle for survival.
In "All Gold Canyon," death is an obstacle to be overcome in the pursuit of wealth. The prospector continues to survive through sheer resilience and fortitude, kicking death away and continuing his quest for gold.
"The Gal Who Rattled" explores death as a tragedy. The story begins with a sudden, tragic death, highlighting the harsh realities of life on a wagon train. Death is portrayed as an unflinching, unfair force, striking at the most inopportune moments.
Finally, "The Mortal Remains" presents death as a mysterious force. The passengers on a stagecoach journey towards an uncertain future, engaging in conversations about love, self-identity, and the experience of death. The driver never stops, and the questions about death remain unanswered.
All things considered, "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" is a unique Western anthology that explores the theme of death in various ways. It's a film that makes you think, laugh, and ponder the inevitable end that awaits us all.
Sometimes black humor is known as gallows humor. This movie features one of the funniest examples of gallows humor I have ever seen.
- You are not comfortable with violence and occasional gore.
- You prefer linear stories as opposed to an anthology format.
- You have a dislike for dark comedy or satirical tones.
- You are not a fan of the Western genre.
- You prefer movies with a shorter runtime, this film is over 2 hours long.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs?"I mean, here you have a movie that's essentially six different Western stories in one. That's like ordering a pizza and getting six different toppings, each in their own separate slice. And none of them are what you ordered! You wanted a simple cheese and pepperoni, but ended up with an anchovy, pineapple, and blue cheese combo.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
This is another Coen Brothers film filled with quirky characters, unique storytelling, and wonderful cinematography. It is a loose adaptation of Homer's "The Odyssey" set in the American deep south during the 1930s. This combination of classic literature and American history may mirror some of what you enjoyed in "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs".
No Country for Old Men (2007)Another film from the Coen Brothers, "No Country for Old Men," is highly recommended based on your fondness for "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs". This movie is laced with suspense and features relentless action, bringing a modern twist to the classic Western genre. Javier Bardem's chilling performance is particularly noteworthy.
True Grit (2010):If you were a fan of the storytelling style and Western setting in "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," you might enjoy "True Grit". Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the same duo behind "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," this film is a tale of revenge and determination set in the wild west. The tone of "True Grit" is similarly dark but punctuated by humorous moments, with impressive performances from the like of Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, and Matt Damon.
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968):This is an iconic classic Western film directed by Sergio Leone. It's well-regarded for its long, tension-filled scenes, operatic storytelling, and a haunting harmonica-led score by Ennio Morricone. This film laid much of the groundwork for the style and tone of modern Westerns like "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs".
The Hateful Eight (2015):Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" is a Western mystery film that brings together an ensemble cast in a story of deception and betrayal set in post-Civil War Wyoming. Like "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," the film's narrative is separated into chapters, each providing a different perspective on the unfolding events.
Like this? Then click here to see more comedy movies
