DbcultAccessing Vault...
5.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Headin' for Trouble remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
"Headin' for Trouble" is one of those old Westerns that really takes you back, not to the wild west itself, but to a very particular kind of Saturday matinee. If you're someone who loves the simple charm of a good guy, a bad guy, and a clear-cut plot, then yeah, it's probably worth a watch on a lazy afternoon. Western purists and those curious about early genre tropes will find something here. But if you're looking for deep character studies or intricate plots, you'll likely find it a bit too straightforward, maybe even a little sleepy. 😴
Our hero, Cyclone, rides into town with this **easygoing confidence**. He spots Slade cheating poor Courtney at poker, and just *steps in* without much fuss. No grand speech, just a quiet correction, which feels almost understated for a cowboy hero.
Courtney, though, bless his heart, is a real piece of work. He's got this gambling problem that Slade just *preys on* mercilessly. You almost want to shout at the screen for him to just stop pushing his luck. The guy just cannot help himself.
The movie has this **looping feel** for a good chunk of its runtime. Courtney loses his shirt, Cyclone bails him out, Courtney goes right back for more. It makes you wonder how many times this exact scenario has played out before the film even started.
Slade's a pretty standard villain for the era, slick and mean without too many layers. He gets the job done. His gang of henchmen are mostly just... there, like furniture with hats. You know who they are, but not *really*.
The action scenes aren't huge, but they're quick and functional. There's a decent horseback chase that moves things along nicely. When Cyclone gets captured, it happens a bit *too easily* for a moment, like he just let it happen to move the plot forward.
The "Arizona Wranglers" are in the cast list, and they do pop up for a song or two. It’s a nice little break, sort of expected for these old films. They have a certain **homespun charm** that's kind of sweet. 🎶
There's a scene where Cyclone has to sneak around Slade's hideout. It's not exactly tense, but you get the idea. The camera just kind of *follows him*, no fancy angles or anything. It's all very direct.
The town itself often feels a bit quiet, even when folks are supposed to be around. Like maybe half the extras were on a coffee break. It gives everything a slightly hollow feeling sometimes.
The gambling 'addiction' of Courtney is more *told* than really shown with much *oomph*. You're supposed to believe it, but you don't really *feel* his desperation. It’s just a plot device.
The ending is exactly what you'd expect, which isn't a bad thing here. Justice, in its simplest, most straightforward form. No big twists or surprises. It just wraps up neatly, like a bow on a package. 🎁
IMDb —
1918
Community
Log in to comment.
