korevette It takes an acquired taste to appreciate this film. The novelty of a western taking place in the northwest during an oncoming blizzard was a welcome sight, compared to the usual 'out west' westerns. Among my beefs was the dialogue 'chewed' up by Beatty, with the usual cigareen. or whatever you called it, in his mouth. I barely could make out what he was saying. As for the so called romance between him and Christie, had about as much depth to it as him gulping down his 'egg nog' drinks, and for the little time she had on the screen compared to the town, she was nominated for an academy award?The scene with the oversexed cowboy and the wannabee gunslinger was too predictable. Now, if that cowboy had beat the guy to the draw, that would have liven the movie for me..but no, we had to show compassion to the innocent young man, that meant no harm. As for the fire in the church...did anyone ever go into it? Yet, that scene was made bigger than it deserved. It look like it was completely deserted with a lot of rubbish.

SnoopyStyle It's the turn of the century. John McCabe (Warren Beatty) arrives in the remote settlement of Presbyterian Church. Sheehan (René Auberjonois) runs the saloon. McCabe gambles and drinks with the gruff locals. There isn't much else to the place. He goes over to the next town and buys three prostitutes for $200. He sets up a low rent whorehouse. Constance Miller (Julie Christie) comes to town and convinces McCabe to join in partnership. She brings in more girls and classes up the joint. As they gain success, a mining company offers to buy up their properties with threats against refusing their offer. Miller is an opium addict and pushing to sell.Director Robert Altman brings a naturalistic feel to this story. I expected him to make Alma a bigger character but she kind of disappears. There is also the slightly muffled nature of the sound. Altman left everything very natural. I wish the dialog could be clearer. It's a well-made revisionist western. It takes the genre into a less-heroic and more complicated world. Even the climatic shootout is unlike the traditional affair.

Patrick Nackaert Don't expect a typical western in McCabe & Mrs. Miller. Shootings are limited, no unprotected town needs to be liberated from their villains. Welcome to the real Wild West.The film makes a lot of efforts to make the background to the story as credible as possible. The firetruck is impressive, bars are real, tents are as you expect them, and we haven't talked yet about the costumes.The setting is even more impressive as one can see the town expanding. The different seasons portrayed suggests it has been a tremendous effort to make it as realistic as possible.The story in itself is multi-layered. Not everything is revealed, which increases the interest in the characters. Many scenes are suggestive, leaving room for interpretation. There are not so many twists in the story, but those that are present will keep you watching.The camera work, with many close-ups, fits the story and almost forgets the excellent background. Leonard Cohen's music adds to the drama.Some scenes may have inspired 'Once Upon a Time in America' from Scorcese, and for those who loved the movie I'd highly recommend the series 'Deadwood', which has the same sense of real as this movie.A very good movie. Especially for history-lovers and those who enjoy non-Hollywood drama.

William Frederick Its amusing to see William on TV for buying gold. He is doing the same job he did in the movie. In the movie he made outlandish promises to McCabe that he knew he couldn't keep such as protecting him against the large corporations that were taking advantage of the public in those days. Now he is on TV doing the same thing only this time its all for the corporations that are selling the public gold. Using scare tactics as well as hype that has no meaning. I wonder if he gets the irony and is laughing all the way to the bank . Its thirty years later, his hair is thinner and his pompadour is flatter . His hair is grayer and it would seem he is richer whether he owns any gold himself. I wonder what is in his bank