Missouri Breaks (1976) - Penn

Plot: A wealthy  rancher hires an infamous "regulator" (Brando) to kill a gang of horse thieves, including the leader (Jack Nicholson) who's involved with his daughter.
Stars:  Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson

Why Brando Took the Role
Money - Brando took almost every role in the 1970's for money. $1.5 million plus 10 percent of the gross - for five weeks work.  Brando made more than Nicholson and did less work.  Which pleased him to no end.  The Producers were able to get Jack and Arthur Penn by falsely claiming they'd already signed Brando.

Brando's Performance
Although Co-billed with Nicholson, Brando plays the supporting role - he doesn't appear till the 30 minute mark.  Finding his character dull - Brando improvised and made him an eccentric Irish dandy, who wears disguises (including a dress), kisses his horse, and kills from long-range.  In 1976, critics hated it - adjectives like "Camp"and "Out-of Control." were used. Stanley Kaufman thundered:  "If Brando hates acting so much, why doesn't he quit?" while another described Brando's performance as "part Irish Rod Stieger, part Tallulah Bankhead." (actually, me).

I find Brando's acting weird but interesting. He spices up a dull movie. However, the Nicholson vs. Brando clash is disappointing.  They have only 4 scenes together, and only one good one. In the movie's best scene, Brando threatens Nicholson in his garden in an extremely menacing, yet subtle way. Too bad there weren't more like it. Rating *** stars

The Movie
A critical and Box office failure, the only reason to see The Missouri Breaks is Brando's bizarre performance. Otherwise, its a mediocre, mean-spirited, revisionist Western. Our "Hero" is a train robber and horse thief, the plot is all over the place, and its completely unrealistic. Shooting began with an unfinished script - and it shows. Everyone behaves like its 1975, not 1875, including our Vassar College heroine.

As for the love affair, Nicholson couldn't stand the lead actress. He supposedly said  "How, the hell can I have sex with her? I don't even like her!" - and they have zero chemistry. But least you think its "stuffy" - we get lots of:  cowboys trudging through the mud, outhouses, fat whores, and men killed while urinating and fornicating. On the plus side, Nicholson gives a nice, subdued performance. Rating **