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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
(2018)
7.88
1

Plot/Story

8.00

Characters

8.00

Acting

10.00

Cinematography

10.00

Production Design

10.00

Sound

7.00

Execution

5.00

Emotional Impact

5.00

Overview: Vignettes weaving together the stories of six individuals in the old West at the end of the Civil War. Following the tales of a sharp-shooting songster, a wannabe bank robber, two weary traveling performers, a lone gold prospector, a woman traveling the West to an uncertain future, and a motley crew of strangers undertaking a carriage ride.

Director: Ethan Coen

Release Date: 2018-11-09

Genres: Western Comedy Drama


7.88
8
8
10
10
7
10
5
5

Full Review Page

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is six segments that look beautiful, have solid cinematography, great acting, and are interesting. My issue is the reoccurring themes quickly make the segments predictable. This wouldn't be an issue if the stories were satisfying, but for me, they just weren't. I understand that we get six short stories in 120 minutes, so nothing is going to be fully developed, but unlike most anthology films, it never feels like we are getting a whole story: a beginning, a middle, and an end. About half of them at least establish a solid story, as small and shallow as it may be, but they all just kind of drift off into the desert. They have an A-list cast and I really didn't have an issue with anyone; even James Franco, who I usually find to be just a terrible actor, is great. I've read other reviews that talk about the dark humor in the film, but within the two hours, I smirked maybe three times. I love dark, macabre humor, but I just don't see it. Not I didn't think the funny parts were actually funny, but I don't think it was trying to be funny more than a handful of times. Every segment has a solid beginning, but quickly plateaus and abruptly ends. There is a specific issue I have with all the endings, but I don't want to ruin anything in the film. It's definitely worth watching (if you already have a Netflix subscription), but of the Coen brothers films that I've seen it doesn't really match up.

By : Greg Mueller | Date : 5 years ago




ActorCharacter
Tim Blake Nelson Buster Scruggs (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
Willie Watson The Kid (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
Clancy Brown Curly Joe (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
Danny McCarthy Curly Joe's Brother (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
David Krumholtz Frenchman (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
Thomas Wingate Gun Check Man (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
Tim DeZarn Mean-Eyed Card Player (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
E.E. Bell Piano Player (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
Alejandro Patiño Cantina Bartender (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
Tom Proctor Cantina Bad Man (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
Clinton Roberts Cantina Scum (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
Matthew Willig Cantina Scum (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
Jesse Youngblood Cantina Scum (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
J.J. Dashnaw Cantina Scum (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")
James Franco Cowboy (segment "Near Algodones")
Stephen Root Teller (segment "Near Algodones")
Ralph Ineson Posse Leader (segment "Near Algodones")
Mike Watson Posse (segment "Near Algodones")
Brian Brown Posse (segment "Near Algodones")
Ryan Brown Posse (segment "Near Algodones")
Richard Bucher Posse (segment "Near Algodones")
Jesse Luken Drover (segment "Near Algodones")
Michael Cullen Judge (segment "Near Algodones")
Austin Rising Bailiff (segment "Near Algodones")
James 'Scotty' Augare Comanche Chief (segment "Near Algodones")

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