Rancho Deluxe

Summary

“That’s two subjects.”

Fun City Editions recently released Frank Perry’s unique Seventies “acid western” comedy Rancho Deluxe. Starring Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston, Rancho Deluxe is a product of its time that would probably not be produced today. Set to a soundtrack by then up-and-coming musician Jimmy Buffett, Rancho Deluxe is a free-wheeling look at ranch life in Montana with two morally questionable cattle rustlers as the center focus of the film. The film was produced in the latter half of the “new Hollywood” movement, before financiers took it on the chin so hard that films of this kind would fail to receive funding in the future. The movie is certainly not perfect, with some pacing issues and highly questionable casting by today’s standards, but it does offer film lovers a truly original look at the modern West. If you can get into the film’s groove, the ride becomes worthwhile and rewarding in the latter half. Fun City Edition’s release features a new commentary track alongside an exclusive interview with Jeff Bridges and a new transfer from a 4K scan.

Jack McKee (Jeff Bridges) and his Native American partner Cecil Colson (Sam Waterston) are cattle rustlers in Montana. Toting a rifle and a chainsaw in their pickup truck, they drive onto the property of Big John (Clifton James.) They shoot a cow, use the chainsaw to cut the carcass, and load the meat onto their pickup truck. With the proceeds from selling the meat, they can pay their rent. This allows them to pursue what they like best – the local women in the town. As they continue to rustle, Big John turns to his two trusted cowpokes Curt and Burt (Harry Dean Stanton and Richard Bright) to help find the men responsible. After Cecil and Jack steal a prize winning cow and hold it ransom, Big John brings on Henry Beige (Slim Pickens) – a cattle detective – and his aid Laura ( Charlene Dallas.)

Rancho Deluxe is a totally gonzo take on the Modern West. Described by Fun City Editions as an “acid western,” the film plays very loose with the form. Fans of Robert Altman’s picture McCabe and Mrs Miller will probably find themselves enjoying this picture’s extremely cavalier take that is as loose as the Jimmy Buffett score and compositions for the film. I can just as easily see people becoming dissuaded from the film by how much it meanders in the first forty minutes of the picture before it finds its groove. It is somewhat hilarious to see Sam Waterston and Joe Spinell playing Native American characters. As patently ridiculous as that is -and it is ridiculous- it is not a hindrance to the film or its unique charms if you can get past the casting. I honestly was confused for the first ten minutes by Sam Waterston’s Native American cadence, and then I realized it was meant to be that way. I don’t believe that I would have that issue on a second viewing.

The first forty minutes suffer from pacing issues occur and are somewhat meandering. It feels unfocused and the audience will find it difficult to determine at first if the film is meant to be a comedy or a drama. The screenplay by novelist Thomas McGuane really finds its footing in the second half of the picture as the characters become better developed and begin delivering exceptionally clever dialogue. The film’s unique charms begin working on the viewer at that point and by the end of the film I was a fan. I believe that the direction by Frank Perry is partly to blame for the first half’s pacing, but I also believe the direction in the second half should be praised. The cinematography by William A. Fraker is very nice and captures Seventies era Montana well. Fraker was cinematographer on Bullitt and One Flew Over a Cuckoo’s Nest, so he was a good choice for the film (which has a little bit of Ken Kesey’s spirit.) The score by Jimmy Buffett fits the picture perfectly, and he has a nice cameo performing in a bar in the film. I am not typically a Jimmy Buffett listener, but I was impressed with his soundtrack work for the film.

The acting in the film is solid. Jeff Bridges is perfectly cast as Jack. Bridges still lives in Montana, and his personality matches the landscape well. I have no idea why Joe Spinell or Sam Waterston would be cast as Native Americans, but they do the best they can in their roles given that handicap. Harry Dean Stanton was wonderful in everything, and this role is no exception. Clifton James is hilarious as the rich and clueless Big John. Slim Pickens is similarly well cast as cattle detective Henry Beige. Charlene Dallas chews the scenery as the not-so-innocent Laura. Patti D’Arbanville is best remembered for a fairly wild sex scene in the film. Overall – Rancho Deluxe is an enjoyably out-there take on Western themes that is a pure product of its time. Check it out.

Video

Rancho Deluxe arrives on Blu-ray with a brand new 2K transfer from its 35mm interpositive. As with many of Fun City Editions’ releases, I was impressed with their work on Rancho Deluxe. Rancho Deluxe is presented in 1.85:1 aspect ratio with an MPEG-4 AVC encode in 1080p. There are some inherent limitations to the source caused by age and some grain that can become apparent at times. For the most part the grain is well resolved and the film benefits from the new scan. While the film was shot in Montana, it would be wise for first time viewers to not expect anything resembling Yellowstone. There are plenty of vistas to enjoy in the film, but the film is a dirtier and more hardscrabble vision of a Montana seen from the vantage point of cattle rustlers. Fans of the film should be very impressed by how strong it looks on the format. It is obvious a lot of work was put into the transfer.

Audio

Fun City Editions has provided a DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono track in English. The unique soundtrack by Jimmy Buffett is notable and sounds great here. As you would expect, range is limited. The dialogue comes across without notable issues. Hiss is not extremely noticeable, but there is some hiss on the track. Fans should be pleased with the efforts put in to clean up the track.

Supplements:

• Commentary features film historian Nick Pinkerton. Nick plies his trade well toward discussing the film.
• Interview with Jeff Bridges – a video conference conversation between actor Jeff Bridges and FCE owner/founder Jonathan Hertzberg. Jeff Bridges calls in from Livingston, Montana where Rancho Deluxe was filmed. He actually lives inside a whorehouse set from the production of Heaven’s Gate that he was allowed to keep and move onto his land. This is a really interesting and sweet hearted interview with the actor who focuses on the lasting impact of Rancho Deluxe on his life – namely that he met his wife Sue on the set of the film. Jeff Bridges talks about his days in Montana spent hanging out with Thomas McGuane, Jimmy Buffett, and Richard Brautigan. Fans of the actor and the film will definitely enjoy this piece.
• Interview with screenwriter Thomas McGuane – when producer Elliott Kastner asked novelist Thomas McGuane if he had anything ready to go (McGuane was hot off of his National Book Award nominated novel 92 in the Shade,) McGuane promptly lied and then spent two weeks writing the script that would become Rancho Deluxe. The rest of the interview includes excellent anecdotes and remembrances of his time spent with Jeff Bridges, Jimmy Buffett (whose sister he married,) and Frank Perry.
• Television Scenes
• Image Gallery
• And a Theatrical Trailer

Overall Scores:

Video – 4.25/5

Audio – 4/5

Supplements – 4/5

Overall – 4.25/5

Rancho Deluxe has developed a cult following in the years since its theatrical debut. It is a gonzo acid western that plays by its own rules. Written in a couple of weeks by novelist Thomas McGuane, the film is as loose as the Jimmy Buffett soundtrack the film features. Jeff Bridges is reliably great in the movie and Slim Pickens, Harry Dean Stanton, and Clifton James all stand out in their roles. Sam Waterston is definitely a stretch to play a Native American, but he does his best to play the role. Despite the pacing issues and meandering aspects of the first forty minutes, the final half of the film sold me on the picture. It is definitely one of a kind. Fun City Editions have done an excellent job on the Blu-ray release with a good looking video presentation and well made special features. I would encourage you to take the time to watch Jeff Bridges’s interview if you pick up the disc. It is really charming. I also appreciated the interview with Thomas McGuane. This film turned me onto McGuane so much that I ended up reading three of his novels in the last couple months. Recommended!