Rating: 
Summary: One of Clift's best
Review: Montgomery Clift undoubtedly steals the scene in this movie as a young, burnt out cowboy who's character is something along the lines of little boy meets old soul with ADD. His performance, in which you can truly see a reflection of his allegedly troubled mental state at the time, is one of the most sincere, real depictions I have EVER seen in all of cinematographic history. Critics have tended to focus on Monroe more, because it was one of her more serious roles, and Gable, because it was his last film as well as Monroe's, but there is no doubt in my mind that Clift is the star of the Misfits. I don't know how, but he captures the loneliness of someone who doesn't quite fit it, but isn't a totally marginal outsider. He does an absolutely wonderful job oscillating between the quasi-bipolar character of Perce.
Rating:
Summary: When a Star Dies, the Sky Weeps
Review: Director John Huston had the vision, and his images were taunt, stark, choked in white dust, and bathed in high desert darkness. Arthur Miller wrote the screenplay, possibly as a birthday present for his wife, Marilyn Monroe; a panegyric valentine to salve the pain of her recent miscarriage. Regardless, Miller wrote a powerful tale, something trancendent. He was out to slay the myth of the macho western; creating three male characters named Gay, Guido, and Percy; men that bonded, and held their fears at arm's length. These men feared commitment, and they cherished their freedom at the sacrifice of everything and everyone in their wake. In its day, this movie was the most expensive black-and-white film ever produced. Critics praised it and panned it equally, but all of them secretly viewed it countless times. It grows on you; like loving a plain woman. It becomes more beautiful, significant, and sensitive as you get to know it. It is multi-layered, and it was packaged magnificently. Russell Metty's cinematography was brilliant B&W; reminescent of the best of James Wong Howe. Alex North's score was colorful, touching our emotional core like the fluttering of angel's wings one moment, and then jolting us with a bombastic jazzy penetrating throb the next. The cast has been called," Miller's beautiful losers ", and " Huston's heart attack ", and they were both of those things. Clark Gable gave a magnificent performance; sun-creased, visceral, raw, and unfettered. He played Gay, a malcontent that preyed on divorcees and wild mustangs, always looking for that free ride, and expending his entire supply of virility and youth in the process. It is fitting that this performance was the capstone for is career, because with this role he shared secret parts of his persona that previously had been unexplored. Much has been written about Marilyn Monroe's performance. Her dramatic work in BUS STOP, and NIAGARA touched on her potential, but only in this film did she give an indication of her true range. Yet, sadly, it showcased her limitations as an actress as well. The role was written for her, and it fit her like a tight dress. Her " You are only happy when you can watch something die." monologue was bravuro, but forced. She could have used a few more classes at the Actor's Studio. MM's character, Roselyn was beautiful, vulnerable, lost, fragile, yet manipulative....all qualities MM could play in her sleep; but she was also geniune, sweet, loving, and real in a way we had never seen before. The chemistry between herself and Gable was a slow burn, but just rewatch the scene in the morning in Guido's house, observe the smooth sexuality and geniuneness of emotion. MM showed a naked breast in that scene. The censors snipped it, but Huston had filmed it. America was not ready for nudity in 1961, but Marilyn Monroe was. Eli Wallach was a clenched fist as Guido, the tow truck driver, and sometimes pilot. It broke our hearts to watch his ragged yearnings, and to realize that he would never get the girl, and he would never finish building his house. Thelma Ritter was all wisecrack and wit, and deserved her oscar for her supporting role. She was a nice juxtaposition to MM's ice angel. James Barton was a wonderful drunk in the bar scene. Gable should have paid more attention to him. A later scene in which Gable is supposed to be enebriated, calling for his children, is the one false note in his performance. Montgomery Clift as Perce, was one of the walking wounded, banged-up; a bruised soul. Much has been noted about his mental state during the filming, and his medical issues; but somehow Clift made it work for his character. The scene where he lies his head in Roselyn's lap is very touching. His effeminate weakness splashed hard up against the worn leather of Gable's face, and the raw power of Wallach's passion. It was the perfect counterpoint. Nevada's high desert landscape was treated like another character, and filmed like one. We are haunted by images of the horse hunt. A creaky biplane herding them down out of the canyons, and pushing them out onto the salt flats, where the men and ropes waited. Short stocky spirited mustangs, desert horses, galloping hard, breathing their last few gasps of freedom before the men captured them, tied them down to old truck tires; preparing them for their final journey to the slaughter house, ending up as food for poodles and bull dogs. The metaphors and symbols intertwine, men and mustangs, freedom, isolation, lonliness, and desperation. But the sadness permeating the characters within the story, was beautifully balanced out with the gentle stirrings of love. That slim chance that Gay and Roselyn will have a healthy relationship. We want it to happen. We hope it will happen, even though we fear that these character might backslide and pull apart. The fade out is very upbeat; a warm breath expelled with heads tilted up, still searching for truth amongst the stars of a clear desert night sky.
Rating:
Summary: Marilyn and Clark are a good pair
Review: This movie shows more and more of Marilyn's acting abilities. It has an interesting story line, and keeps you guesssing until the end. Althogh it is in B&W, It's worth adding to the "Marilyn Collection" you may have going. Also the fact that Clark Gable died only 2 weeks after it's completion is an interesting note.
Rating:
Summary: Twilight Of The Gods.
Review: It's almost impossible to review this as just a movie, as it is, to movie buffs at least, such a curio piece. As everyone knows, the screenplay, written by Arthur Miller, started out as a tribute to his wife, Marilyn Monroe, but proved to be the death knell for their marriage. Though this looks like a "Western", it is far from it. It is an almost obscene look into the coming together of a group of lost souls who have nothing left to lose. This John Houston film was famously fraught with problems, many related to M.M.'s real life breakdown, and went over budget, and became, at that time, the most expensive black & white film to date, a dubious distinction. That Miller based "Roslyn" on Marilyn is now well known, a portrait at once flattering and brutally honest. If there's any doubt that Roslyn is M.M., watch for the scene when Marilyn opens a locker , in she & Clarks little "love cottage", there are well known glamour pin-ups of the real life Marilyn hung inside, which "Roslyn" refers to as "just some old pictures of me." Also the scene of M.M. & Gable, as they awaken one morning, and she is seen nude from the back, is one Marilyn fought for, wanting her breast, which was visible in the rushes, kept in the final film. This was unheard of at that time, and was cut out of the final print. At the time, M.M. commented: "I love to do things the censors won't pass, after all, what are we here for, just to stand around and let it pass us by?... Gradually, they'll let down the censorship, sadly, probably not in my lifetime ", a prophetic comment from a woman who was ahead of her time. Though she drove John Houston to distraction during the filming, he years later commented: "Marilyn was as fine an actress as any I ever worked with... she just reached down within herself and pulled her own emotions out, it was real." This film , aside from Clark Gable, also stars good M.M. friend Montgomery Clift, another real life misfit, also good M.M. friend Eli Wallach, both fellow alumni of The Actors Studio, and the fabulous Thelma Ritter, who seems to be the only one capable of holding it together. At the films release, during Marilyns now famous scene in the desert, where she lashes out at the brutality of "the men" as they capture a horse for slaughter, apparently many in the theatres laughed out loud at this unacceptable version of their Marilyn, which is very sad. I have always found this scene devestating, and only shows the struggle she had to face, in her attempts to grow as an actress, and not be confined by peoples limited vision of her. Contrary to popular belief, this film was not a total artistic failure, and received many positive reviews at it's opening. The New York Tribune: "Here Miss Monroe is magic but not a living pin-up dangled in skin tight satin, and can anyone deny that in this film, these performers are at their best?" New York Daily News: "Gable has never done anything better on screen, nor has Miss Monroe." The fact that Gable died two weeks after shooting wrapped, and that Marilyn never completed another film, only seals the legend surrounding this films making. In hindsight, it was truly the end of an era. If you want a fascinating read on the making of this film, try and get the long out of print "The Story Of The Misfits", by James Goode. Published in 1963, it's a day by day chronicle of the films making, and, though only a year after M.M.'s tragic death, handles her memory with total respect...the legend had already begun. This sad, but ultimatley hope filled little drama, filmed in the almost lifeless desert, is maybe not for the viewer looking for lots of excitement and action. But if you're a serious viewer who can appreciate brilliantly subtle performances, starring two of filmdoms biggest legends... in a movie steeped in Hollywood folklore, then you'll appreciate this film. How fitting that their final scene has them riding off, heading "for that big star."
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: This film didn't keep my attention at all. I truly think it has been over hyped because it was the last completed film for Gable and Monroe. It was not at all a film I would picture Marilyn Monroe in. That is probably exactly what she wanted, a film allowing her to go beyond and expand her acting credibility... I felt there was more chemistry between Clift & Monroe than Gable & Monroe; so the latter pair being the hook up didn't fly for me. Marilyn Monroe is my absolute favorite but this just wasn't for me. I regret buying it instead of just renting it, as I will never watch it again.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST-HAVE FOR ANY SERIOUS MARILYN FAN.
Review: This Movie isn't for everybody...shot in black and white, it's a moody and stark Account of a group of Misfits,an aging cowboy,a rodeo rider,a mechanic and a confused divorcee.
Marilyn Monroe is making the most of the material, as written for her by then estranged husband Arthur Miller. Some of her Lines are uncanny, as if taken straight out of marilyn's own Life. Some of them not very flattering.
The performances by Clark Gable (in his last Role),Monty Clift and Eli Wallach are superb.
I like the Scenes in the desert where Rosalyn (a brilliant Marilyn) starts to get deviant against the others....
I know Marilyn did not particularely care for this Movie...too many memories of a bad marriage, a script she didn't care for and intolerable conditions while shooting the movie in the Nevada desert. And it wasn't a blockbuster.
But this Movie is probobly one of my favorites of marilyns...
Rating:
Summary: You'll love it!
Review: The Misfits is one of Marilyn's all- time bests! It's funny though that its said she herself wasn't too crazy about the film her hubby wrote her as a birthday present. If you compare this one with some of her previous work, you can really see how Marilyn evolves into a real pro in the field---it's great and a must, must, must, must, MUST if you're even a small-time fan of Ms. Monroe. If you're collecting--GET THIS ONE!
Rating: 
Summary: Misfits with Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe
Review: Clark Gable is his usual self, macho and all the women noticing him and Marilyn Monroe is still Marilyn Monroe. The plot turns out ok. I thought it was slow moving.
Rating:
Summary: Not going to brighten your day.
Review: Don't watch this movie looking to brighten your day, this is not a feel good movie. But, it is worth the watch. Marilyn was without a doubt a beautiful woman but she is absolutly luminous in this movie. I don't know if it is because it is black & white but she looks so real. I think this movie touches so close to the soul of her it can be painful to watch. Every one gives an outstanding performance (did Thelma Ritter ever give a bad one). Clark Gable had come a long way from his days as a contract player at MGM. He more than holds his own with Montgomery Clift & Eli Wallach "the method actors" He was after all the "King" (that was before Elvis). If you look at Montgomery Cliff's eyes you can see his pain. Maybe that is what sums up this movie and what makes it so intriging because you aren't quite sure what is real and what is fiction because the two are so intertwined. It wasn't very successful when it was first released in 1961 I think because audiences at that time did not want to see this much reality at least not from Gable & Monroe.
Rating:
Summary: DUSTING THE STARS.........
Review: Gable was the first to die, then Monroe, Clift followed ......depressing. So, is this rather brilliant movie, written by Arthur Miller [husband 3 - or 4 - depending on the rumors], and directed by John Huston - one of his best. Must have been Hell on the set though with Marilyn's acting coach hovering in the background and signalling approval or disapproval to her. Then Gable would insist on doing his own stunts and Monty Clift, brilliant, brooding and tortured, another casualty. The rest? Thelma Ritter, [who would also pass]; Eli Wallach, Estelle Winwood and Kevin Mccarthy briefly seen as Monroe's husband. A sad tale about losers, accidentally meeting somewhere in cowboy desert country, and trying to make something out of their seemingly shattered lives. No cheery stuff here, and quite prophetic too. The truck scene is, Monroe and Gable [Monroe's "father figure"], is especially chilling - all about "belonging somewhere". It's about loneliness, craving acceptance, insecurity, not soap opera material, closer to Gogol country. Oddly enough - the movie chills, although it's located in bright, hot desert country. Superb black and white photography. A restored DVD version would be nice, complete with those missing outtakes.....
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