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6.6/10
Archivist John
Senior Editor
A definitive 6.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Sharp Shooters remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so you’re wondering about Sharp Shooters. Is it something to dig up today? 🤔 Well, if you’re into those early talkies, or silent films transitioning into sound, and you appreciate a bit of old-school melodrama with a side of moral quandaries, yeah, give it a whirl. It's got a certain charm, even if it feels a little stiff in places. But if you need fast pacing, complex characters, or anything resembling modern sensibilities, you’re probably gonna hate it. This one’s a niche thing, for sure.
The story itself is classic sailor fare. George O’Brien plays this seaman, name of
What sets this apart, a little anyway, is Madeline’s pluck. Instead of just crying into her pillow, she decides to follow him. She saves up, finds out where his ship’s next port of call is, and off she goes. Imagine the sheer grit for a woman in that era to do something like that. That part, I really liked. It gives her a little backbone, something beyond just being the heartbroken girl waiting around.
Of course, when she arrives, Jimmie’s already got himself another girl. A local lass, all smiles and newness. The look on Madeline's face when she sees them together, that’s where the film really earns its keep. It's not a shouty moment, more like a slow dawning horror. Her world just… collapses a little. Gwen Lee doesn't overdo it, which is good. You feel the punch, right in the gut. The camera often, too often, feels a little stuck on her face,
