A subtly smart screenplay with disturbing undertones

Rating: 7/10 (29 August 2019)

On first blush it's nicely crafted but its one compelling arc (Rick's disillusionment/friendship with Cliff) is squashed by a bevy of boring referential scenes disconnected from the shocking but empty climax. Upon closer inspection, many delightful details emerge to reveal a fascinating web of narratives meta-commenting on storytelling and identity--yet they also make plain the film's ugly misogyny, misguided revisionism, and gross glorification of cowboy violence, especially in the climax.