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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Flaming Gold remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies that move fast and don't care much for logic, sure. It’s perfect for people who enjoy watching guys in hats argue in rooms that look like they were built for a play. If you need your dramas to be subtle or realistic, skip it. You will probably find the whole thing a bit exhausting.
There is this moment early on where the fire starts, and it’s meant to be this huge, terrifying event. Instead, it looks like someone set a small bonfire behind a curtain. You can almost see the studio lights reflecting off the fake smoke. It’s charming in a way, but not exactly high art.
The plot is basically: greedy guys in NYC vs. guys with dirt under their fingernails. It’s a classic setup that feels like it’s been done a million times, but here it has this strange, frantic energy. It’s like the writers were terrified the audience would fall asleep if they slowed down for even a second.
The whole trip to New York feels like a completely different movie. Suddenly, we are at parties, there are fancy drinks, and the oil rig grit is replaced by shiny shoes. It’s a bit jarring. One minute you’re in a Mexican oil field, the next you're watching a marriage happen that seems to exist just to create drama for the last act. It’s a real head-scratcher.
Pat O'Brien is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. He has that look on his face like he’s trying to remember if he left the stove on back home. It works, though. He gives the movie a pulse when the script starts to sag.
Honestly, the whole thing reminded me a bit of the pacing in The Coming of the Law. Both films have that weird, clipped way of talking where no one says 'hello' if they can just bark an order instead. It’s efficient, sure, but it makes everyone sound like they’re perpetually annoyed with their coworkers.
The movie gets noticeably better when it stops trying to be a romantic drama and goes back to being about guys with big problems. When the focus shifts back to the fire, the stakes actually feel real for a second. It’s a shame they didn't just lean into that. Sometimes simple is better.
It’s not a masterpiece, and it definitely feels like it was put together on a tight schedule. But if you’ve got an hour or so and want to see some vintage corporate sabotage, it’s not the worst way to spend your afternoon. Just don't go looking for any deep lessons about the oil industry. You won't find them here. 🛢️
IMDb —
1923
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