The Misfits (1961)

Plot:A  divorcee falls for an over-the-hill cowboy who is struggling to maintain his romantically independent lifestyle.
Stars: Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift, Eli Wallach

A two-hour gab fest, this is an "actors movie" written by Arthur Miller to showcase Monroe's dramatic acting chops. Clift, Monroe, Gable, and Wallach,  all get a well-defined "misfit" character and chance to emote about a tragic loss: Wallach's wife - Gable's Kids - Monroe's marriage - and Clift's ranch and father. Save for a few Thelma Ritter wise-cracks, the first 90 minutes is a long-winded character study.

But things perk up in the last 30 minutes, as our gang heads out to corral some Mustang horses for the glue factory. Finally, we get some dramatic conflict.  Gable wants keep the "old ways" and the horses, while Monroe wants Gable to set the Mustangs free. Guess who wins? (Note: the movie was made in 1960 but ignores the 1958 Federal Statute outlawing Mustang hunting using airplanes or motor vehicles.)

Eli Wallach vs. Montgomery Clift 
Once again your DVD cover is lying to you.. The main supporting character is NOT Montgomery Clift - its Eli Wallach.   He has more lines then anyone - except Monroe or Gable.  Wallach's character "Guido" is Gable's best friend and main rival for Monroe's affections. Meanwhile, Clift doesn't show up till the 45 minute mark and has very few lines in the last 30 minutes.

So why so little focus on Wallach?  Embarrassment, maybe? Because Wallach and his character Guido seem completely out of place.  One of Miller's less believable characters; Guido is a former WW2 pilot who lives miles outside of Reno and drives a tow truck.  He has little in common with Gable's character -supposedly his best friend. And Wallach with his hammy acting seems to be acting on different planet from Clift/Gable. Stanley Kauffman, a Wallach fan, says he: "...sounds less bronco-hunter than Bronx. There is something vulgar in this gifted actor's reliance on vulgarity as a metier"

The Main Problem is Miller's Script
However, other than Wallach everyone else turns in a nice acting performance. Gable shows some unexpected acting ability, and Monroe, while very subdued is touching in several scenes. Unfortunately, much of Miller's dialog is very theatrical and unreal.  Did any Cowboy or average person ever utter lines like:

-We're all blind bombardiers, Roslyn. We kill people we never even saw
-I can't make a landing, and I can't get up to God, either.
-Birds must be brave to live out here. Especially at night

-If it weren't for the nervous people in the world, we'd all still be eating each other.

Arthur Miller, always trying to be poetic - and failing.

Summary:  The Misfits did middling box office when released, and got mixed reviews. My review is mixed too.  The direction and script are mediocre. But Clift, Ritter, Gable and Monroe are excellent.