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5.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Life in the Raw remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Look, if you’re into the kind of classic Westerns that feel like they were filmed in a single weekend, you’ll probably find something to enjoy here. It’s got that specific grit that makes you want to wipe sand off your screen.
But if you need complex character motivations or, you know, a hero who isn't a total coward, you’re gonna hate this. Stick to The Western Whirlwind if you want something that feels a bit more put together.
The whole setup is pretty simple. Girl goes to see brother. Brother is actually a criminal. Things go south fast. It’s the kind of plot that’s been done a thousand times, but there’s something about the way this one just refuses to slow down that I kind of liked.
Watching the sister frame the poor cowboy for the murder was… uncomfortable. She’s not exactly the sweetheart the movie wants you to think she is. It’s a bold choice to make your lead character so genuinely unlikeable in the middle act.
There’s this one scene where they’re riding through the desert, and the lighting is just so harsh it makes everyone look like they’ve been sweating for three days straight. It feels authentic, even if the acting is a bit, uh, theatrical. You can tell they were trying to save money on extras, because the 'posse' chasing them feels more like three guys who just happened to be near the camera.
I caught myself thinking about The Unwritten Law while watching this, mostly because both movies have that same frantic energy. They’re both movies that just want to get to the next explosion or chase, and they don't really care if the logic holds up.
Honestly? It’s not a masterpiece. But for a quick, dusty afternoon watch, you could do a lot worse. Just don't expect it to change your life. 🌵