Movies: Rio Bravo

Scott Holleran’s review of the 1959 Howard Hawks Western based on the Grauman’s Chinese theatrical screening at Turner Classic Movies’ film festival

Watching Rio Bravo is time well spent. The classic 1959 Western by director Howard Hawks is deceptive in its goodness, so that it’s easy to underestimate the value. Many of today’s Americans take John Wayne’s sensibility for granted or they hold it in contempt, if they know of him. In Rio Bravo, John Wayne lends his American aura to a masterpiece. Every Rio Bravo moment, scene and turn serves a particular purpose. Within the context of recent history, Rio Bravo is also a rare alignment of stars. As I learned when I was younger, thanks to my friend, (and Autonomia subscriber) teacher Shoshana Milgram, and affirmed when I recently watched the Western at Sid Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Rio Bravo deserves its excellent reputation. The Howard Hawks movie merits serious study. This is part of mine.