08/28/06 The Last Pistolero

The Last Pistolero (2002), directed by Alessandro Dominici

watched solo; DVD (borrowed from Jason) @ home; suggested by Jason

I haven't watched too many short films this year, so I thought it fitting to throw this one in the mix after having just watched the accompanying "Django" spaghetti western classic. I won't spend too much time on this one, not that it isn't worthy of more, but just that it was a very short film indeed. Shot in black & white, the Django star Franco Nero returns in a silent protagonist role as a weathered older pistolero. Unsure of what his intentions are at first, we notice how he steps meaningfully into an abandoned building/streetscape, as if to imply a violent gunfight showdown. He takes his time, very meticulous in preparation for his big moment...setting a rickety sign right, eyeing his surroundings carefully. Then, without warning, the sureshot fires a bullet into the open (you would think at his opponent). The bullet screams about, ricocheting off of every piece in the set, finally deflecting off an object into the straight-shooter's chest. Yes, a quick and premeditated suicide of Rube Goldberg proportions. The story is short and sweet, displaying a sublime violence in an almost comical manner. A much more polished, but equally effective gunslinging choice as its DVD counterpart "Django."

5 out of 5 stars