Bad Company

Benton and Jaffe team up

One of the perks of being a Young Friends of Film at Lincoln Center is the chance to not only see some classic films on the big screen at Walter Reade but the chance to listen to some legends in the film business. Tonight's feature, Bad Company, is a little know but critically acclaimed western directed by Robert Benton (Kramer v. Kramer, Superman) and produced by Stanley Jaffee (TAPS, Fatal Attraction). The film is a fantastic gem of a modern allegory of the difficulties of growing up in a cruel and often unfair world. Benton sets the stage for this cowboy picture with two young boys serving as the leads. It turns into a bit of a buddy travel picture.

Drew Dixon (Barry Brown) is an upstanding young lad sent West by his religious parents to avoid losing another son to the Civil War. Jake Rumsey (Jeff Bridges) is a ruffian out to score a buck in whatever way he can, including mugging the poor Dixon. After some male bonding (fighting), Dixon and Rumsey take a gang of boys West to seek more opportunities. Unfortunately they run into some professional thugs and find themselves in some dire straights. Finding food isn't easy. There are some squeamish moments as we listen to Rumsey skin a rabbit; none of the boys has any clue how to do this. There are some shocking moments as when some in the gang meet their brutal end. And there are some humorous yet poignant moments like when Rumsey and two mutiny boys members part ways. They pretend to be men brandishing guns but revert to being boys, throwing stones and insults. This one scene is so beautifully crafted, it alone is worthy of watching. But the full arc of the boys and their journey is classic modern western storytelling. This is one of my favorite Westerns now.

Benton took a risk in screenwriting (previous accolades with Bonnie and Clyde) by making the leads young boys. He also pushed audience's expectations by making the thuggish boy Rumsey, not the good boy Dixon, the anchor of the cast. While Benton acknowledged his skill at writing, he was ever humble and grateful to Jaffe for allowing him to direct this film, his first time in the directors chair. Their post-film discussion is the best I've heard on the symbiotic relationship between director and producer. Benton was very reluctant to direct, confessing his impostor syndrome feelings. But he was completely candid about all the support and help Jaffe gave, like suggesting the use of newcomer Gordon Willis. The Godfather hadn't been released yet so Jaffe took Benton to a screening room to show him Willis' work. These sorts of crew choices by Jaffe turned out to be the best conditions Benton could direct with, nurturing his first time out with confidence and support. The results are great. The film is a beautiful sepia-toned wonder on screen, the acting fun and light to balance the tough subject matter, and the editing helps move the story along at a clipping pace. A must see for any fan of non-traditional Westerns.