Quick recap: 3 men (the good, the bad and the ugly) go after a large sum of money buried in a cemetery.

Fun (?) fact: From IMDb: “The skeleton found by Tuco inside the wrong coffin at Sad Hill cemetery, was a real human skeleton. A deceased Spanish actress wrote in her will she wanted to act even after her death.”

My thoughts: Whereas before, my relationship with Westerns was ‘friends with benefits’ bordering on a breakup, I think we are now in the ‘It’s Complicated’ era. One movie can’t undo the psychological trauma inflicted on me from past films (I’m looking at you, El Topo), but The Good, the Bad and the Ugly certainly help heal some wounds. And by The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, what I really mean is Clint Eastwood.

Honestly, all of the acting was top notch and I felt like I was watching an actual western and not just Marlon Brando making me feel uncomfortable. Sure, it was over the top with tropes and long drawls, but that’s just what I want. And, like I said, it was Clint Eastwood that made the film. I’m not sure why he was necessarily the good guy, but he certainly killed less than the other two main characters which I think practically makes him a saint or something. I won’t spoil the ending because I’m cool like that, but I love the way he solved everything. And his eyes. Have I mentioned that I love his eyes? Sigh.

The story for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is very basic- 3 guys fighting over money. And the characters themselves are whittled down to their basic traits, but it all works somehow. A movie doesn’t have to be complicated or even try to make a point in order to be classic. I enjoyed every minute and would gladly watch it again. Plus, the showdown at the end (come on, you knew that was going to happen) filled in several pop culture holes, which is always nice.

Final review: 5/5

Up next: Se7en- where I finally find out what’s in the box!