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4.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Rawhide Romance remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old-school westerns with more dirt than dialogue, sure. If you need a movie that makes logical sense from start to finish, run away. It's essentially a lazy Sunday afternoon watch that feels like it was filmed in a single weekend.
The plot is exactly what you think it is. Cowboy meets rich girl, sparks fly, then suddenly everyone is worried about their wallets because some thieves are lurking about. It’s not exactly The Heart of a Lion in terms of emotional weight.
There’s this one scene where they’re all sitting around the ranch, and you can tell the extras are just waiting for someone to yell "cut" so they can grab a sandwich. The lead actor tries his best to look tough, but he mostly just looks like he's squinting against the sun. 🤠
The thieves are about as threatening as a group of toddlers in masks. They sneak around in the background of almost every shot. It’s hilarious once you notice it. You’ll find yourself pointing at the screen like, "Hey, look, there’s that guy again!"
It reminds me a bit of the pacing issues in Elmo, the Mighty, where the action just sort of stops and starts whenever the budget probably ran out. You can feel the movie hitting a wall every ten minutes.
Despite all that, there’s a weird sweetness to it. Maybe it’s just the nostalgia talking. Or maybe I’ve watched too many modern movies that try too hard to be 'smart.' This one doesn't try at all. It just exists. It’s like a dusty pair of boots—not pretty, but they get the job done.
Don't look for deep meaning here. You won't find it. Just grab a snack and enjoy the horse riding. 🐎