Cockfighter (1974)

☆ ☆ ☆ 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.