a dark western… dead man

I hate Westerns.  Western Films to be more precise.  I hate the fake accents, the glamorized lifestyles of the new West and the unrealistic well-kept, clean clothes.

Except for one.  Jim Jarmusch’s  Dead Man (1995) is not only the best Western film I have ever seen, but is also just a great film.  The film is in black and white- which I think is a great, more realistic way to present the Western frontier.  The film’s scenery, plot and characters are dark, disgusting and vicious.  There are no perfectly mustached cowboys vs. Indians, and brilliant colored clothes.  Only men with tangled beards holding muskets against women’s heads in order to receive a blow job against an ally way between decaying, wooden shacks.  This film received 2 wins and 5 nominations from various film festivals.

Dead Man received a Screen International Award from the European Film Awards and a Best Cinematography (Robby Müller) award from the New York Film Critics Circle Awards.  I personally believe the film should have won their other nominations, but I guess its not my decision.

So yes, the cinematography was incredible in this film.  But let us not forget about the music. A rough electric guitar played gently, but in a strong manner through out the film.  And who else but Neil Young could create the original music for this film?  I don’t think I should write more about the music.  Neil Young is all the description I need.

So yes, everyone, see this film.  The music fits the cinematography like a glove.  Oh, and of course the acting.  Johnny Depp becomes his character (like always) William Blake, and delivers an outstanding performance.  Oh and he wears this incredible plaid suit…yes, a goodie tooshoes turned bad ass (Depp’s character) head to toe in plaid.

Be sure to have the volume up when inserting the film for viewing. Enjoy.
 

Article by Alexandra Lederman
Film Music Reporter