It's a shame that Eagle Pennell only directed two films. After watching The Whole Shootin' Match his talent is nearly palpable. The film follows two extremely likable main characters, Lloyd (Lou Perryman) and Frank (Sonny Carl Davis) who use the day to try and make money to survive. Frank is married to Paulette (Doris Hargave) who is by far my favorite character of the movie. But not to short everyone else, the main characters of the film are really well developed. Frank and Lloyd strive to rise above the life they seemed destined to lead ever since the end of high school, living the past out one beer at a time in run down bars in Austin. Paulette is a woman who knows that she deserves more but love holds her back. In a role that could really be secondary to the main characters, Pennell writes her plenty of depth, when she gets the option to cheat you can see on her face the inner turmoil and writhing that her conscience goes through.
Pennell let's the camera linger when need be, but never for too long, you get the sense that the audience is getting a peek into the life, everything is subtle. At times the script is brilliant though, but I strangely hesitated in praising it. I didn't want to assume anything was done on purpose which I realize is a slap in the face of the filmmaker, but the movie is so raw it feels like these are real people, therefore their isn't going to be symbolism in what they do. Which I would say is the ultimate compliment to Eagle.
In the end however, Shootin' Match isn't perfect. It goes on a bit long and some scenes are absolutely pointless, but that doesn't take too much away from the overall narrative. As it stands The Whole Shootin' Match is a film that stands the test of time and is a great, nearly eerily realistic character study.
Pennell let's the camera linger when need be, but never for too long, you get the sense that the audience is getting a peek into the life, everything is subtle. At times the script is brilliant though, but I strangely hesitated in praising it. I didn't want to assume anything was done on purpose which I realize is a slap in the face of the filmmaker, but the movie is so raw it feels like these are real people, therefore their isn't going to be symbolism in what they do. Which I would say is the ultimate compliment to Eagle.
In the end however, Shootin' Match isn't perfect. It goes on a bit long and some scenes are absolutely pointless, but that doesn't take too much away from the overall narrative. As it stands The Whole Shootin' Match is a film that stands the test of time and is a great, nearly eerily realistic character study.