Roger Ebert Couldn’t Make Sense of Bruce Willis’ Strange ‘Sunset’

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In the year just before his passing in 2013, film critic Roger Ebert shared a thoughtful piece on his personal website. This essay looked back on the previous twenty-five years during which he watched and critiqued thousands of movies. Specifically, he had seen over ten thousand films and formally reviewed approximately six thousand of them. In this reflection, Ebert highlighted three timeless productions: “Casablanca” from 1942, “La Dolce Vita” from the 1960s, and “Basic Instinct” from 1992. Despite any age-related changes, these movies continued to impress him in various ways. Ebert’s reviews were known for their ability to dissect a movie thoroughly, examining every aspect from the ground up.

It might surprise you, but a western film from the late ’80s featuring actors like Bruce Willis and James Garner was one of the rare titles that left legendary film critic Roger Ebert perplexed. To put it mildly, this movie, titled “Sunset,” left Ebert struggling to formulate his review.

What Was so Wrong with ‘Sunset’?

Under the direction of Blake Edwards, the film titled Sunset made its theater debut on April 29th, 1988. The movie was well-crafted narratively speaking. Bruce Willis assumed the role of Tom Mix, a historical figure from the 1900s who significantly influenced the popularity of western films, while James Garner portrayed Wyatt Earp, an American lawman from the 1800s who lived until 1929. Initially working together on the movie (with Garner serving as a technical advisor), they eventually found themselves collaborating in real life to solve a murder mystery.

Set aside that brief synopsis for now, and it’s clear that the film “Sunset” is quite unusual. It’s possible that Edwards was overreaching in an attempt to incorporate some of his fondest memories from the 1920s into a more contemporary production. The overall tone of “Sunset” might have been disrupted by Bruce Willis, who starred in the film before his breakout role in “Die Hard,” showing a hint of arrogance (as Garner remarked following filming). Regardless of the reasons, Roger Ebert’s assessment of “Sunset” as a movie that is “…half cheerful and half morbid and disenchanted” seems quite accurate.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself drawn into the vibrant world of “Sunset,” where the charismatic Tom Mix shines with his stunt work and eagerness to meet Wyatt Earp, our technical advisor. The atmosphere is cheerful, the dialogue witty, and the overall vibe is lively. Initially, it seems like “Sunset” might follow in the footsteps of comedic westerns like “Blazing Saddles” from 1974 or “Adios Amigo” from 1976, offering a humorous period piece and a dynamic duo, but with a larger budget and a more refined aesthetic. However, my initial assumptions were quickly challenged as the movie delved into unexpectedly mature themes that one wouldn’t typically associate with a story set in the 1920s.

‘Sunset’ Was a Clash of Times (and Depictions)

Initially, the film starts off with a charming scene featuring Bruce Willis donning a pristine western suit and interacting with one of his admired figures. However, this initial wholesomeness is abruptly swapped for a grim and noir-style crime story, where villains are shown committing heinous acts such as murder, rape, and dumping bodies off-screen. The film also features domestic violence and explicit homophobia, which may have been prevalent in the early 1900s but still comes as a shock when depicted in a movie aiming to portray that particular era accurately. This contrast can be aptly described by actress Mariel Hemingway (playing Cheryl King) in her 2015 book: “The film seemed a bit disorganized…but it was directed by Blake Edwards. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to collaborate with him.

In his analysis of Sunset, Roger Ebert presents two observations. Firstly, he notes a shift in the film’s style from a western setting to one resembling a noir detective movie, which seems incongruous with the content being portrayed. Despite the bright and cheerful exterior featuring stars and shiny cars, there’s an underlying darkness filled with unusual sexual elements and malicious acts. This darker side suggests that the director, Edwards, holds a deep affection for 1920s Hollywood. Unfortunately, this affinity negatively impacts Sunset, as it confuses the viewers.

Was Bruce Willis Good as Tom Mix in ‘Sunset’?

Ebert’s second statement also holds true. In this case, Ebert discusses the casting of Bruce Willis as Tom Mix. While fans might fondly remember Willis’ past work today, it’s worth noting that a younger Willis struggled to embody the gritty essence of a western genre icon on screen. He lacked the rugged demeanor necessary for the role, and his portrayal felt more like an enthusiastic cosplay rather than a serious performance.

On the other hand, James Garner effortlessly exuded confidence and charm as Wyatt Earp, a stark contrast to Willis’ whimsical and relaxed mannerisms in the Tom Mix role.

Although the flawed character design in this film doesn’t ruin the overall viewing experience completely, it might be beneficial for viewers to ignore the movie’s time period. Willis’ performance could almost make one think he’s a fictional actor – that way, there would be no basis for comparison. In summary, Ebert confesses that he never knew Mix personally and doesn’t care about knowing him after watching Willis’ portrayal. Ouch indeed.

The movie titled Sunset, unfortunately, didn’t perform well financially or critically. To make matters worse, its director, Blake Edwards, received a worst director award at the 1988 Razzies, and Ernest Hemingway was even nominated for worst supporting actress in that year’s parody awards. However, it did manage to puzzle one of the most esteemed film critics with its unique qualities.

To find out why everyone’s talking, you can catch Sunset right now by streaming it on demand on Amazon Prime Video.

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2025-06-01 21:06