Those looking for a "different" Western are most likely to enjoy A Bullet is Waiting, a curious little item from director John Farrow that promises more than it delivers but which deserves credit for trying. Bullet is really a Western in setting only; it lacks most of the trappings usually associated with that genre, not least of which is bountiful action. Despite a few fights and a rather impressive storm sequence, there's much less action than talk here, and that is both the film's strength and its weakness. It is refreshing to see a Western that wants to be use its brains more than its fists; unfortunately, the screenwriters haven't given the script the kind of depth that it needs. As a result, there's a lot of empty talk that never really gets under the skin of the characters or beneath the social situations it raises; eventually, all the talk becomes boring and, finally, wearing. Casting is also problematic. Both Stephen McNally and Rory Calhoun are cast somewhat against type; since the film is more or less about people not being what they seem to be, this makes good intellectual sense. In practice, however, it doesn't really work, although McNally gives it a really good shot. Similarly, Jean Simmons is not really at home in this setting, although she brings considerable skill to her part. Finally, the confined setting doesn't allow for a great deal of variety; director Farrow handles this as well as he can, but it ends up a problem nonetheless.
by Craig Butler
review
