High Noon: O' My Theme Song Do Forsake Me

As the various characters watch the clock, there is one thought on all of their minds: when will this film be over?

The characters watch the clock
constantly as if experiencing our
angst at having to sit through the film.

Yes, many critics feel this movie is a cut above the typical western. But the movie reeks of trying too hard to surpass the typical western. It's like a dish created by a chef trying so hard to not appear to be McDonald's, that he creates a dish named 'Spinach Surprise.'

Add to that the unrelenting background music of the one song in the movie, "Do Not Forsake Me O' My Darling," which can leave you in serious need of tranquilizers. Not since some jerk composed "It's a Small World After All," has one song been so annoying, so repetitive, so repeated ad nauseum, and such an impetus for mass murder followed by acquittal due to temporary insanity by a jury of your peers who were also present in the theater, during the movie.

The story revolves around Frank Miller who was put behind bars by Marshall Will Kane. He’s a free now and headed towards town on the 12 o’clock train to exact his revenge on the aging lawman. And the marshal is too nice and good for words; it seems likely when he is shot he won't bleed but vanilla milkshake will spill out and a maraschino cherry will roll out on top.

Like all who watch the movie I too hope that Frank will win. The sooner that happens, the sooner the audience, the townsfolk, and Kane’s young wife can sleep soundly. Because Kane is, frankly, a huge bore.

I can't wait for my ancient husband
to get murdered, thinks Mrs. Kane.
Or I hope chemists invent viagra ASAP. 

As Frank's gang waits for him at the train depot, we can only join them in their hopes that he will soon arrive to save the day with a well placed bullet.
Frank's old flame is in town as well. Like all women who have had the misfortune of the Will Kane experience she hopes for his demise. Kane's sorely lacking performance has driven her to seek out a much younger man: Kane's deputy, Pell.

Kane goes to the saloon, desperate to recruit deputies whom he can hide behind. But the ungullible townsfolk refuse. Using his powers of persuasion and ability to win people over  which was honed over a long and illustrious law enforcement career, Kane attempts to win them over by lapunching the barman in the head.

 From the look in Helen Ramirez's eyes
she is suffering from post-traumatic
stress disorder due to her nights with Kane.

Later, Kane tries to recruit deputies at the courthouse. At first, the townsfolk volunteer en masse but they quickly awaken from their stupor. Watching trials in this two horse burg is their main form of entertainment. And seeing Frank execute this moralizing fool would be the most interesting thing to happen since Hiram strapped a chicken into his saddle and put a tiny cowboy hat on its head.

But the townsfolk have a change of heart and tell Kane it would be acceptable for him to leave town. Although they would enjoy seeing him shot dead before their eyes it would also be a waste of a bullet, they explain, and we the audience are inclined to agree.

Frank has friends, unlike Kane.

The director decided to tell the story in real time, with the first shot of the clock showing the time at approximately ten-thirty in the morning. It's surprising that an experienced director has not realized that he could have made the time pass at any rate he desires. And it's a shame because this movie would be more palatable and effective as a five minute clip, rather than a feature length film. But if the director insisted on using the real time format, I think the movie would have been better served to have commenced five minutes before high noon.

If you're in the mood for a thought-provoking movie, with careful characterization, well-thought out shots, and judicial use of violence that probes the human spirit deeply, then you may like High Noon. I, on the other hand, am in the mood for a Western.