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One-Eyed Jacks (1961)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 7/05, 7/17

OneEye
7/05: Thanks to Stanley Kubrick bowing out of the project, Marlon Brando directed only one film in his life, and it's called One-Eyed Jacks.

A Western with many twists and turns, it's Marlon Brando who steals the show. Charles Lang's Oscar-nominated cinematography is also excellent. Archie Marshek gets the most credit for making the movie possible because Marlon Brando was delegated the task to edit the film from a million feet of reel and, true to form, subsequently gave up.

All in all, if Kubrick had directed One-Eyed Jacks, I would've fallen asleep; hence, it's a good thing that Marlon Brando did.

7/17: Criterion Collection treated One-Eyed Jacks with a 4K digital restoration, and the film looks absolutely gorgeous.

Thus, it's not hard to see why the single Oscar nomination went to Charles Lang for Best Cinematography. One-Eyed Jacks is the only film Marlon Brando had ever directed. It works for a Western picture, and it's unique that's almost Unforgiven before there was Unforgiven.

The top acting honors goes to Karl Malden. He plays a mean backstabber convincingly well. Watch his eyes, and that's when you knew Karl Malden was going to amp it up at key moments. Marlon Brando is terrific and the most handsome of them all. He keeps himself subdued and laidback, never making a grandiose show. It's a testament to Brando's ability to restrain himself.

Once upon a time, from Mexico, Katy Jurado was one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. It's not hard to understand why Marlon Brando was smitten with Katy after seeing her in High Noon. She's not bad in One-Eyed Jacks, looking a bit older than anticipated.

Pina Pellicer may have taken acting too far to the point of melodramatic. She needs to tone it down and try to vary her approach. It's literally the same thing in almost every scene: a desperate plea with her quivering chin and fluttering eyes. Sadly, Pina committed suicide in 1964 at the age of 30, and the cause of death is presumed to be depression.

All in all, although long and slow-moving, One-Eyed Jacks is a solid '7' Western picture.