So much more than just a great western (although that is a big thing in itself) I see this as a sort of fable about how, in spite of all your best efforts, life catches up with you and destroys you. Apparently Robert Redford didn't want the famous 'Raindrops' scene in the picture; I guess that was understandable beforehand, it's true that it's not a very 'Western' scene; but in fact that is precisely the point, and this scene the key scene in the film. It establishes that the characters are not traditional heroes who just want to vanquish the other guy no matter what the cost, but human beings in search of joy who fight and rob - almost apologetically - only because they don't know a better way.
Sexy, engaging, witty, exciting and moving, everything about it is just about perfect.
Sexy, engaging, witty, exciting and moving, everything about it is just about perfect.