This movie is a no account grimy western that thinks reading depravity into historical settings is profound. The only good thing about this movie is its Leonard Cohen score, but that even clashes with the overall tone of the film. This film is an unmitigated disaster.
Content warning: female nudity
Closest comparison: It’s like Once Upon a Time in the West crossed with Taxi Driver.
Setting: Western
Plot: Entrepreneur
Tone: Sleaze
This is a sleazy ‘70s version of a ‘40s noir detective thriller, and it works out for the most part. Elliott Gould gives the performance of his career in his own take on the legendary Bogart character, chewing the scenery and irresistibly becoming the best thing about this movie by far. The plot meanders to its passable destination by a workable route, building the world more than the suspense and delivering neither more nor less than it promises. Your enjoyment of this film will vary directly by how much you enjoy or are bothered by its sleaze.
Content warning: female nudity
Closest comparison: It’s like The Big Sleep (1946) by way of Chinatown (1974).
Setting: Noir
Plot: Detective
Tone: Crime
