I do not watch a movie because of its "indieness." There are too many bad movies, Indy or mainstream. This film has some charms, and shows what can be done without a budget. For some that is enough; not for me. Pennell did much better with "Last Night At The Alamo," telling much the same slice-of-life story with the same lead actors (Davis, Perryman). "Alamo" spends nearly all its 80 minutes in a blue-collar Houston bar on its last night, which provides a convenient stage for presenting an assortment of characters and situations. "Shootin Match" rambles for far too long across too many disjoint scenes. The last third of the film adds virtually nothing.
Still I would sooner watch the worst of Eagle Pennell than the best of Jim Jarmusch, John Sayles, or Spike Lee. There is something to like in all of Pennell's films. His work is unaffected and unambitious.
Still I would sooner watch the worst of Eagle Pennell than the best of Jim Jarmusch, John Sayles, or Spike Lee. There is something to like in all of Pennell's films. His work is unaffected and unambitious.