I remember 40 years ago. There was buzz, not the good kind, around a new movie starring Kris Kristofferson. Some flick called “Heaven’s Gate” was getting terrible press due to the combination of very poor box office and very high budget.
But now in 2020 Hollywood is making barely any movies I want to see. Actually with COVID restrictions still in place, they’re barely making any movies, period. But I digress. When I’m at the DVD Netflix page and trying to fill my queue I wisely pick some older ones.
I’m not sure why I chose “HG” but it’s turn in the queue finally came and as I popped it into the DVD player all I was thinking was: “Is it really that bad?”
Well….
It is very, very long. When the movie requires two DVDs that tells you something. Should you watch this title I recommend you do what I did: break up the viewing into two sittings.
I believe it was on the deleted scenes section for the movie “The Rookie,” where the director said: “The number one enemy of every filmmaker is time.”
Someone obviously never told Michael Cimino. Again, if one takes at least one lengthy break (I took about a week, actually), you exponentially improve your chances of making it to the end credits.
But is it worth the watch?
For me, yes. It satisfied my curiosity about the film and despite its length there are some high spots.
Your mileage may vary. Some folks will find it too violent. Or too hard to hear. Or too smoky/dusty. Or find fault for many other reasons.
Will it wind up being a movie I own? No.
Is it really that bad? No
But it’s really not all that good, either.
