Having grown up within the Nineteen Nineties, a decade filled with nice films, Tombstone was a significant a part of my upbringing. With all these iconic quotes, unforgettable characters like Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and Johnny Ringo, and a number of the greatest shootouts ever filmed, there are many the reason why that is thought-about one of many greatest Westerns of all time.
Till lately, I hadn’t watched the nice Kurt Russell film in years, and in doing so, I spotted one thing I had lengthy forgotten: the film does one character soiled. No, it’s not Doc, Wyatt, or any of the Earp brothers (or Cowboys, for that matter). As a substitute, it’s the lawman-turned-proprietor-turned-U.S.-marshal’s common-law spouse, who’s given the brief finish of the stick on a number of events. Let me clarify…
Tombstone Is An All-Time Nice Western And Wyatt Earp Is A Nice Character
Relating to iconic Westerns, few films come near the magnificence of Tombstone and its story about new beginnings, redemption, reluctant heroes, and righteous vengeance (and nice mustaches, however that’s inappropriate). From the time I first noticed Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday tackle the Cowboys behind the O.Ok. Corral at a good friend’s home as a child, I’ve been mesmerized by the film, and it truthfully will get higher with age.
Although Kurt Russell’s characters from John Carpenter films will at all times take up prime launch in my coronary heart, his tackle Wyatt Earp is undeniably iconic (and never simply because that’s a first-ballot Corridor of Fame mustache he’s rocking). The strains, that reluctance to tackle the Cowboys as a result of he is aware of what it’ll carry, his slapping Billy Bob Thornton, after which later calling people “curs,” it’s all nice. I imply, his transformation from starting to finish is splendidly highly effective, and it’s a journey I by no means thoughts taking again and again.
However The Method He Treats His Spouse, Mattie Blaylock, Is Outrageous
I do know I simply stated Wyatt Earp is certainly one of Kurt Russell’s most badass characters, however you realize what’s not badass concerning the historic determine, a minimum of how he’s portrayed in Tombstone? Nicely, the way in which he treats his common-law spouse, Mattie Blaylock (Dana Wheeler-Nicholson), all through the film.
I imply, this man just about desires nothing to do along with her earlier than they even get to the titular city of Tombstone early within the runtime. Positive, there’s that healthful shot of the Earp brothers with their brides taking a look at their reflection in a storefront window, however then he begins harping on her about taking an excessive amount of laudanum on a regular basis. And it simply will get extra outrageous from there as he turns into too wrapped up within the goings-on of city and his infatuation with Josephine Marcus (Dana Delany).
He’s off capturing, playing, happening lengthy horse rides with a well-known actress whereas his spouse is lonely at house with nothing to do however be confused about her husband and what he desires out of life.
Mattie Is Handled Like A Chilly, Lifeless Junkie All through
Whereas Wyatt Earp and his brothers and turning across the fortunes of the Oriental Saloon and making Tombstone an much more bustling frontier city all through the film, Mattie is simply there on the sidelines doing nothing. Handled like a chilly, lifeless junkie who’s so hopped up on prescription drugs she will be able to’t sustain along with her husband and his happenings, the character looks as if an afterthought at occasions, which is a disgrace contemplating she was such a giant a part of the true Wyatt Earp’s life, a minimum of for a time there.
Every time one thing massive occurs, whether or not or not it’s the Cowboys driving into city inflicting mischief, somebody getting shot on the street, or Morgan Earp (Invoice Paxton) dying on a pool desk after being shot within the again, Mattie is simply there. I get that the film is loosely primarily based on historic figures, however there wasn’t something optimistic to share about Mattie?
And Wyatt, when he’s not pining over Josephine and looking for a solution to make it work, or slapping the crap out card sellers, continuously belittles his spouse about her addictions and treats her extra like a baby or youthful sibling than somebody with whom he shares a mattress. As a substitute of serving to her or a minimum of asking her what’s happening, Wyatt affords no options.
I Simply Stored Feeling Sorry For Her Extra This Time Round
Although I’ll admit that it appeared like Wyatt and Mattie’s relationship was by no means on the perfect of phrases, and it appeared like a matter of comfort as a substitute of affection, I discovered myself feeling sorry for her increasingly more because the film went on. Simply think about spending years with somebody, touring throughout the American West with them, planning on making a life with them, after which having them meet and fall in love with one other lady as quickly as they attain their vacation spot? Like, what’s that?
Once more, Mattie wasn’t the perfect particular person, however Wyatt Earp was just about slowly breaking apart along with her your entire time they have been in Tombstone, however wasn’t courageous sufficient to simply name it off. Nicely, he did ship her on the practice with Virgil (Sam Elliott) and his spouse at first went to hell on the town, however truthfully felt like a copout to do away with her and never have it cling over his head.
Then The Film Ends With Her Having An Off-Display screen Overdose. Wild!
The actual icing on the cake in terms of Tombstone doing Mattie Blaylock soiled is within the remaining minutes of the film. When the narration is revealing what occurred to all the main characters, Mattie’s destiny looks as if nothing greater than a footnote, because it’s revealed she overdosed not lengthy after leaving Tombstone. And what’s being proven on the display whereas Mattie’s destiny is mentioned ever so briefly? Nicely, it’s simply Wyatt Earp and Josephine Marcus dancing and kissing within the snow. Simply rub it in, already.
Is the therapy of Mattie Blaylock sufficient to spoil Tombstone for me or anybody else who watches? No, not likely. However it nonetheless bums me out that the character was handled with such disrespect and disrespect when she clearly wanted assist or a minimum of some consideration.