☆ ☆ ☆ ½
Cockfighter
(1974) – M. Hellman
Given my aversion to animal cruelty (as a longstanding
vegetarian – 29 years), it took me a while to get up the gumption to watch this. But Nick Tangborn’s recommendation that it
fell into the “downbeat Seventies” genre was enough to get me to proceed. And truly Warren Oates is a wonder, creating
an “existential” character without speaking a word (save for a few voiceovers).
He’s taken a vow of silence after losing a chance at the Cockfighter of the
Year medal due to his big mouth (and drinking).
Two years later, and after another serious “wipeout” defeat at the hands
of Harry Dean Stanton (also great), Oates joins forces with Richard Shull to
stage a comeback. But, in a downbeat
turn, his cockfighting puts him at odds with his true love (Patricia Pearcy). That’s plot enough and the rest is all local
colour and meaningful anecdote. For
example, Ed Begley Jr. turns up as a country boy who gets violent when his
rooster loses, demonstrating his pre-St. Elsewhere versatility and Steve
Railsback cameos as a cheat who gets banned from the contest. Hellman’s direction, the location shooting, Michael
Franks’ warbly guitar music, and Néstor Almendros’ decade-congruent cinematography
complete the picture. Yet, I won’t recommend
that you watch this, due to the extensive cockfighting scenes (clearly the real
thing), and to be completely honest, it doesn’t quite end up as downbeat as
expected (although the life choices of these characters are surely revealing of
some existential problems). For a seriously downbeat turn from Oates,
check out his next picture, Peckinpah’s Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia.
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