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3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Good Bad Man remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you're the type who digs through the bargain bin of early talkies just to see what kind of weird stuff was being made before everything got so polished. If you want a tight, logical Western, look elsewhere. You'll probably hate this if you need a story that actually makes sense by the time the credits roll. 🤠
It starts out feeling like your standard desert adventure. We have our guy, Tom, dragging two women—a blonde and a brunette, because 1933—into Pancho’s hideout. The whole "bandit lair" vibe is pretty much what you'd expect, lots of heavy shadows and guys leaning against walls looking tough.
Then these American kidnappers show up, and things get loud. It’s funny watching them try to snag Pancho, only to get completely outplayed. The movie isn't trying to be deep or anything, which is probably for the best. It’s got that jittery, low-budget energy you see in things like The Little Adventuress.
The middle bit is just a lot of running around. There’s a moment where a character says something that’s supposed to be a big reveal, but it lands with a thud. It reminded me of the messy, frantic pacing in Blondie of the Follies, just without the same star power to carry it over the finish line.
Yeah, the twist. I won't ruin it completely, but let's just say the women aren't exactly the damsels they pretend to be. It’s the best part of the movie, really. It’s sudden and kind of silly, but it wakes you up.
I found myself wondering if anyone actually read the full script before they started filming. Some scenes just stop abruptly, almost like the reel was about to run out of film. It’s not great, but it’s definitely not boring in the traditional sense.
It’s a strange, dusty little relic. If you’re bored on a Tuesday night, why not? Just keep your expectations somewhere near the floor. 🌵
