McCabe & Mrs. Miller Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A confused gambler opens a brothel with a shrewd madam, then gets killed because he doesn’t understand capitalism, all while Leonard Cohen sings about it.

🍿 McCabe & Mrs. Miller: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in Presbyterian Church

John McCabe, a gambler with a rumored past as a gunslinger, arrives in the newly established mining town of Presbyterian Church in the Pacific Northwest. He sees an opportunity to make money by establishing a saloon and brothel, catering to the town’s predominantly male population. McCabe’s reputation, though perhaps exaggerated, precedes him, lending him an air of authority as he sets about building his business.

The Partnership with Mrs. Miller

Constance Miller, a shrewd and experienced madam, arrives in Presbyterian Church and proposes a partnership with McCabe. Seeing his lack of business acumen, she offers to manage the brothel, bringing in higher-quality women and instituting more refined practices. Their partnership proves successful, transforming McCabe’s initially tawdry establishment into a thriving and relatively respectable business.

Corporate Interference and McCabe’s Stubbornness

The success of McCabe and Mrs. Miller’s business attracts the attention of a large mining corporation, Harrison Shaughnessy, which seeks to buy them out. McCabe, emboldened by his newfound success and perhaps blinded by ego, refuses their initial offer, hoping to negotiate a higher price. Mrs. Miller, more pragmatic and aware of the corporation’s ruthless tactics, warns him against this course of action.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John McCabe (Warren Beatty): A charismatic but ultimately unskilled gambler who arrives in a small town with dreams of establishing a successful brothel and saloon.
• Constance Miller (Julie Christie): A shrewd and experienced madam who becomes McCabe’s business partner and brings much-needed expertise to his ventures.
• Sheehan (Rene Auberjonois): The lawyer who McCabe consults when threatened by the mining company, offering little real help.
• The Lawyer (William Devane): Represents a major corporation trying to buy out McCabe, leading to conflict and violence.
• Smalley (John Schuck): A local resident who helps McCabe with his business ventures and represents the ordinary townsfolk.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• John McCabe: “If a frog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his ass so much, follow me?” – McCabe’s folksy saying, used to illustrate his (often flawed) logic and attempts to sound wiser than he is.
• Constance Miller: “I’m better at counting than you are.” – Mrs. Miller’s pragmatic declaration to McCabe, asserting her superior business acumen and control over their finances.
• John McCabe: “What’s your proposition?” – McCabe cautiously asks Mrs. Miller about the nature of her interest in his business.
• Constance Miller: “That’s my business.” – Mrs. Miller’s blunt reply to McCabe when he tries to inquire about her background and personal life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3.5 million
• Domestic Gross: $4.1 million
• Worldwide Gross: $4.1 million

💥 McCabe & Mrs. Miller Reviews

Personal Review

I was captivated by “McCabe & Mrs. Miller.” The atmosphere is incredible, and the combination of the visuals and Leonard Cohen’s music creates a world that feels both beautiful and desolate. I especially loved the scenes in the brothel – they felt so real and gritty. The ending was so tragic, it gave me chills. It’s not your typical Western, but that’s what makes it so special. Definitely a film I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Robert Altman’s films”
  • “Those interested in revisionist Westerns”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven dramas”
  • “Individuals seeking a more realistic portrayal of the Old West”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Prostitution”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “Altman masterfully crafts a revisionist Western. Beatty and Christie deliver memorable performances, and the film subverts genre clichés while exploring themes of capitalism and the harsh realities of the Old West. The atmospheric cinematography and haunting soundtrack enhance the viewing experience.
• ScreenRant: “A haunting and poetic experience, filled with unique shots. “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” excels in exploring complex characters and dynamics. The plot is a slow burn, but the cinematography keeps the viewer highly engaged. The film stands out as a thought-provoking subversion of the Western genre.
• IMDb: “Visually stunning with an unusual narrative. The movie avoids traditional western tropes, offering a more realistic portrayal of the Old West. Beatty and Christie’s performances are captivating, enhancing the movie’s atmospheric and humanistic qualities.

Audience Reactions

Leonard Cohen’s music elevated the movie to another level, perfectly capturing the mood.: Viewers praised the haunting atmosphere, excellent performances, and the film’s unique take on the Western genre.

The unconventional shootout scene was a standout, subverting the typical Western action.: Many enjoyed the realistic portrayal of the Old West, showcasing the struggles and harsh conditions of the time.

Overall Consensus: A unique and atmospheric revisionist Western, praised for its performances, cinematography, and haunting soundtrack. It offers a realistic, if bleak, portrayal of the Old West, subverting traditional genre tropes.

Awards

1. National Society of Film Critics Awards (Best Actress)- 1972

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robert Altman and cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond used a technique called ‘flashing’ or ‘pre-fogging’ the film negative to give the movie its distinctive, muted and dreamlike look. This involved briefly exposing the film to a small amount of light before filming.”
• “Leonard Cohen’s songs, which perfectly complement the film’s mood, were not written specifically for the movie. Altman had been listening to Cohen’s music extensively and felt it captured the atmosphere he wanted to create.”

🖥️ How to Watch McCabe & Mrs. Miller?

McCabe & Mrs. Miller is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability. It’s also often screened at repertory theaters, so keep an eye out for those opportunities for a unique viewing experience.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed McCabe & Mrs. Miller, you might like these similar films:

• The Long Riders (1980): Similar revisionist Western approach, focusing on the gritty realities of the Old West and the dynamics of a gang of outlaws.
• Deadwood (2004-2006): HBO series that shares the same raw and realistic portrayal of a lawless frontier town, with a focus on business, survival, and the complexities of human relationships.
• There Will Be Blood (2007): Shares the theme of corporate greed and the ruthless exploitation of resources and people in the pursuit of wealth.
• Heaven’s Gate (1980): Another visually stunning, ambitious Western that explores themes of capitalism, corruption, and the struggles of ordinary people against powerful interests, despite being a notorious box-office failure.

🛒 McCabe & Mrs. Miller Related Products

• Leonard Cohen – Songs of Leonard Cohen: The album featuring the soundtrack songs is available as a digital download on Amazon Music. The haunting melodies and poignant lyrics of Leonard Cohen perfectly complement the film’s atmosphere.
• Vintage Western Movie Poster – McCabe & Mrs. Miller: A high-quality print of the original movie poster. This poster captures the essence of the film’s unique blend of drama and Western themes, making it a collectible for fans.
• Old West Saloon Miniature Model Kit: A detailed model kit to build a miniature Old West saloon, inspired by the film’s setting. This collectible allows fans to recreate a piece of the movie’s atmosphere in their own homes.
• Western Style Wool Coat – inspired by John McCabe: A rugged wool coat designed to resemble the one worn by Warren Beatty in the movie. The coat is both stylish and functional, perfect for fans wanting to emulate the character’s look.

🎧 Soundtrack

McCabe & Mrs. Miller features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Stranger Song” – performed by Leonard Cohen
• “Winter Lady” – performed by Leonard Cohen
• “Sisters of Mercy” – performed by Leonard Cohen

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Shelley Duvall talks about being discovered by Dir. Robert Altman

Ever wondered how Shelley Duvall got her start? She tells a super charming story about being discovered by Robert Altman himself! It’s a sweet little anecdote that makes you appreciate their collaborations even more.

Pauline Kael reviews McCabe & Mrs. Miller on The Dick Cavett Show (1971)

Want to know what a legendary film critic thought *way back when*? Check out Pauline Kael’s original review of ‘McCabe & Mrs. Miller’ on The Dick Cavett Show. It’s fascinating to hear how she championed the movie when others weren’t so sure!

10 Most Historically Accurate Westerns Ever Made

Thinking of watching ‘McCabe & Mrs. Miller’? Apparently, it’s considered one of the most historically accurate Westerns ever! I always thought it felt pretty authentic, so it’s cool to see it recognized that way. Gives you something to watch for!

No Country for Old Tropes: On Genre Subversion in the Western

Is ‘McCabe & Mrs. Miller’ *really* a Western, or is it something else entirely? This video essay dives into the idea of genre subversion and how some Westerns broke all the rules. It might give you a whole new way to appreciate the movie!

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