Secret Valley: A Nevada Dust-Up You Won't Forget

Is it worth watching?

Look, if you are into old-school westerns that don't take themselves too seriously, you'll probably have a good time here. If you need big budgets or complex character arcs, you're looking at the wrong map. It’s a breezy, dusty affair that feels like it was filmed in a weekend, which is exactly why it works.

The story hits the ground running. Richard Arlen is the rancher, and he carries that 'just leave me alone' energy perfectly. When the woman arrives, the movie suddenly feels less like a cattle drive and more like a messy domestic drama that happened to lose its way into the desert.

The Gangster Problem

Then the husband shows up. He’s a total city-slicker stereotype, all sharp suits and bad attitude, which looks hilarious against the backdrop of dry Nevada brush. You can practically see the grit getting into his fancy shoes. It’s the kind of contrast that feels unintentional but works wonders for the tone.

The dialogue is snappy, if a bit stiff. It feels like every actor is waiting for their turn to say something tough. There's this one moment where the gangster tries to threaten the ranch hands, and the silence that follows is just... awkward. It hangs there for a second too long, like the director forgot to yell cut. I kinda liked that, actually.

Bits and Bobs

• The horses look bored. Like, really bored.
• The lighting in the cabin scenes is surprisingly moody for such a straightforward flick.
• Willie Fung shows up, and as usual, he’s doing a lot with very little screen time.
• There’s a fistfight that looks about as choreographed as a playground scuffle. It’s great.

It’s not trying to be The Zone of Death, that’s for sure. It’s much lighter, much faster, and doesn't care about anything other than getting from the first scene to the last shoot-out. Honestly, I appreciate that lack of ambition.

I found myself wondering why the gangster even bothered to drive all the way out there. The road conditions in these movies always look terrible, yet everyone makes the commute. Maybe he just really hated the idea of a divorce? 🤠

If you have an hour to kill and want to watch something that feels like it was pulled off a dusty shelf, give it a go. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s definitely not boring. Just don't expect the plot to hold up under any actual scrutiny.