The Misfits

Troubled stars, a troubled shoot and a troubling film – but The Misfits is still worthy of being called a classic.

For a film that’s all about debunking a few all-American myths, it’s ironic that, through a few twists of fate, The Misfits has acquired such iconic status. Written by Arthur Miller as he prepared to marry Marilyn Monroe, the film starred her and Clark Gable in what turned out to be their final roles, as well as being one of Montgomery Clift’s last hurrahs.

Gable and Eli Wallach play cowboys who are drifting round the West in search of purpose and a wage packet. Wallach meets Monroe, who has come to Reno in search of a quickie divorce, but she is soon snared by the more sensitive Gable. The trio set off together, picking up Clift on the way, and embark on a plan to make money by rounding up wild Mustangs and selling them for dog meat.

The tensions between this mismatched quartet eventually come to a head during a terrific final scene, set out in the raw, unforgiving desert. All four actors prove themselves equal to the challenge of a difficult and intense denouement, but inevitably the focus is on Monroe who gives, arguably, her finest performance by letting her own vulnerability shine through. Of course, with the benefit of hindsight, the film becomes even more poignant and unsettling – but definitely not one you’ll want to pass you by.

                                    – Lebby Eyres, Bint Magazine