MovieChat Forums > The Quiet Man (1952) Discussion > Will non-Wayne fans enjoy this?

Will non-Wayne fans enjoy this?

posted 11 years ago by harpolini
22 replies | jump to latest

I've always wanted to see this movie, but have hesitated because I'm not the biggest fan of Wayne's acting. Does his acting detract from the film, or does it work well? For example, sometimes Bogart's style works well with a picture, other times it does not and sometimes he can pull a hat trick (african queen, key largo, caine mutiny) and surprise the viewer.

Seeing the good review of the blu-ray release make me want to watch it, but I'm not sure if it's worth buying if its the same ol hammy Wayne. If it's a more layered performance than his normal (the searchers) I'll definitely pick it up.

What do you fans of this film think?

[–] Princerd 11 years ago

Does his acting detract from the film, or does it work well?

I think it is a great movie and I thoroughly enjoy his performance. His daughter was quoted as saying it is her favorite movie performance by her father.

That said; the movie has some really great characters that will help you enjoy it regardless of John Wayne's performance.

I think you are cheating yourself of a delightfully good movie if you choose not to watch it.

[–] rmcap965-982-388208 11 years ago

It makes me cry each time I see it....its quite ejoyable and romantic...I love the Duke as a cowboy but he's teriffic in this...

[–] nateba 11 years ago

I've always wanted to see this movie, but have hesitated because I'm not the biggest fan of Wayne's acting.

I'm not a big Wayne fan, but he did a very good job here and IMHO several other movies. This is definitely worth seeing.

cinefreak

[–] kenny-164 11 years ago

Of course I don't know why someone would NOT be a John Wayne fan, but is it necesary to be one to like or even love this film? I think not.

First of all Wayne himself actually played a much greater range of characters than his critics give him credit for, but even a fan of his like myself can see in, say, his cameo in The Longest Day a portrayal that is more in keeping with other of his characters than, say, The Searchers, or even In Harm's Way. You know, the Rio Bravo type character, even She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.

I mention all that because the Quiet Man is not your typical John Wayne character, even if there is such a thing, or not.

The other is Ford excelled at casting, and the cast here is quite rich, particularly with the excellent Maureen O'Hara, but pretty much everyone else is great, as is the droll comedy, the gorgeous settings, the obviously great chemistry between Wayne and O'Hara, and treasures like Ward Bond's portrayal of the village priest, which could not have been better.

Hope that helps answer the question.

[–] m-slovak79 11 years ago

i have not really seen much of Wayne's films myself (just this (earlier) and True Grit (1969)) so, at least at this point, i don't consider myself a John Wayne fan. but i have a feeling this is a film that connects more with females than it does males.

overall i think the film was fairly dull (it's pretty dull for a good chunk of the film) but gets better on the later half of the film basically which helped save the film a bit as i was going to go with a 5/10 (below average) instead of a 6/10 (average) but i gave it a 6/10 which is still ultimately Thumbs Down status.

bottom line... i give it a 5-5.6/10 (Thumbs Down)

p.s. for the record... i am basically half-Irish (i am a 33 year old male), although i am 100percent American though since i think it was my great-great grandparents that were right from Ireland back in the late 1800's (although i think they went to Canada initially before moving to the USA) on my moms side of the family.

this aired earlier on the TCM (Turner Classic Movies) channel.

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My Vote History ... http://imdb.to/rb1gYH
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[–] harpolini 11 years ago

hey, thanks for the all the replies. i'll definitely give this one a watch. some films really highlight an actor and let's them play against the typecast. i was always mixed on actors like clark gable or bogart, but then one of them puts out a performance like the one in the misfits or the caine mutiny and you become a die-hard fan. i was hoping this film would be well fit performance.

[–] strntz 11 years ago

I really don't care for John Wayne. I think he's a mediocre actor at best.

But, The Quiet Man is one of my favorite movies of all time. He actually is perfectly cast for this film. By now you've probably seen it, and I'll bet you liked it.

Just once, I'd like someone to call me sir without adding 'you're making a scene' ~H Simpson

[–] Princerd 11 years ago

Watch "The Searchers" and make that statement. One particular close up of John Wayne's "hatred", meant to portray his hatred of the Comanche, is the most expressive look of pure hatred ever filmed.

John Wayne's acting is quiet convincing in this movie. It is a much darker role than those represented during most of his acting career.

[–] strntz 11 years ago

Watch "The Searchers" and make that statement. One particular close up of John Wayne's "hatred", meant to portray his hatred of the Comanche, is the most expressive look of pure hatred ever filmed.

I haven't seen that film. I'll probably see it sometime in my life. But as an amateur thespian, I know for a fact that certain emotions are easier to play than others. Hatred and anger are probably the easiest.

Just once, I'd like someone to call me sir without adding 'you're making a scene' ~H Simpson

[–] thegr8defender 10 years ago

Hatred and anger are the easiest to overact - coming from someone who studied the craft for years. Which Wayne does NOT do in "The Searchers". He's much more nuanced and unaffected in that film. And I'm not a particular fan of his in general.

[–] horst-kackebart 11 years ago

It's an interesting movie as testament of the early 50s and the clichés of that time. Other than that it is pure cheese. To each their own I guess, but the entire story is closer to fairytale fiction than to an actual story. The "bad guy" definitely took the cake!

I still endured the 130 minutes and there were some genuinely moving moments, eventhough the respective situations seemed very constructed and aimed purely at squeezing a tear out of the viewer's eyes.

What I really enjoyed was the scenery though, Ireland is pure beauty.

[–] Taylorfirst1 11 years ago

I'm sure you have already seen the movie but I will chime in anyway. I am a huge John Wayne fan, but all you have to be is a movie fan to love this film. It's a masterpiece.

Kirk out.

[–] mrbluto-2 11 years ago

The Quiet Man is Wayne's best non western non war movie, he is very under stated. The cast is wonderful, the story is great, a perfect movie.

[–] pass105 9 years ago

I agree......its one of only a handful of films that I'd describe as "perfect".

[–] necoleman 9 years ago

I am formerly known as HillieBoliday.....Member since May 2006.

I'm a non-John Wayne fan too; but I will watch this one and "The Angel and the Bad Man." Anything else....and you can forget it!

"OOhhhooo....I'M GON' TELL MAMA!"