A remarkably slow-paced movie - defined largely through its repetitive (though lyrical) guitar-based music and its reliance on somnambulant montages and dissolves. It's a somewhat idealized version of the West as essentially tranquil and taciturn, with violence erupting sporadically and unnaturally. The most intriguing aspect is its handling of sexual politics. There's an acknowledgment of the relationship between the two men as being akin to a loving one, and all the more stable for the lack of demands. This contrasts with the portrayal of the marriage - Bloom is initially tough and unforgiving when Fonda returns, and defiant in admitting that she's slept with hired helps in her hunger for a man; but once his permanence is established she slips easily back into a position of submission. The movie is liberal in taking her actions as they come, but obviously seems to be reasserting a patriarchal code of restrained, stoic male bonding that writes the dominant stories. Well and subtly told, and all the acting is good, but a strange project from Fonda at this point in his career - almost as if he consciously wanted to negate the radical image created by Easy Rider.
Review of The Hired Hand
