Paul Newman's '70s Western Comedy, 'The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean,' is an overlooked gem that streams for free. This film, directed by John Huston and released in 1972, stars Newman as the titular Judge Roy Bean, a self-appointed justice of the peace in Val Verde County, Texas. It's a big-budget prestige movie that, despite its initial success and positive reviews, has largely been forgotten today.
The film's lack of discussion could be attributed to its outdated aesthetic, which is imitative of Newman's previous Western success, 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.' The movie's use of music, such as Andy Williams' 'Marmalade, Molasses and Honey,' might also be cringe-worthy to modern audiences. However, the film surprisingly holds up today, thanks to Newman's charisma and the appealing oddball characters played by other actors.
The screenwriter, John Milius, had a different vision for the film, and his clashes with Huston are well-documented. Milius, a conservative New Hollywood writer, struggled to work with Huston, who was known for his treatment of Ray Bradbury. Milius' version of the film would have been more humorous, but the final cut, directed by Huston, has a melancholy tone with a cameo from Ava Gardner. Despite this, the film's dialogue, delivered by Newman, Ned Beatty, Anthony Perkins, Stacy Keach, and Huston himself, is colorful and well-served.
In conclusion, 'The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean' is an entertaining watch, offering a unique perspective on the American spirit and the building of the country. While it may not be a perfect film, it is an overlooked gem that is worth discovering, especially for fans of Newman's work and Westerns in general.
