Rancho Deluxe

Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston shine in their roles as eccentric cattle rustlers who expertly butcher their loot with a chainsaw to sell it in portions. They prefer to steal their goods from John Brown, the wealthiest cattle owner under the Montana sky. However, at some point, mere meat is not enough for them, and they demand cash. The duo causes quite a ruckus, but Brown finds their tasteless game too much and sends a sniffer after them – who is already beyond good and evil.

Despite the intention to break the myths of the modern West, "Rancho Deluxe" primarily acts as a cleverly packaged coming-of-age film. Although the movie includes a narrative about cattle theft, it is also a contemporary comedy about the generational gap, focusing on the antics of two cowboys (one White, one Native American) whose disdain for established values and notions of freedom in the West leads them into constant confrontation with reactionary elders. In line with its target audience, the film is deliberately cynical and cheeky, yet fundamentally romantic and likable. The combination works surprisingly well, thanks to strong ensemble performances, even if Thomas McGuane's screenplay sometimes leans toward sentimentality and clever observations.