Is this Pauline Kael back from the dead?
She never found anything Clint did, no matter how lauded by her fellow critics, worthy of praise. Her blind ignorance towards Eastwood was nearly comical, and only grew more so as her career waned. Look up Kael's dusty, old crank "reviews." You'd likely enjoy them immensely.
Your critique relies on one sole example from the film, an event which, in context, makes complete sense; it is one of several examples of Billy's real heroicism amidst the mythological image he created. Whether or not one views Billy's life is a "fiasco" or "joke", precisely relates to the entire theme of the film, which is much deeper than you're willing to give credit. The choice to live one's own life, by one's own creation, and to base that creation on goodness, love and decency in the face of the unrelenting misery, tragedy and cynicism which surrounds us, is a liberating, individualistic paradigm. It's a choice, the film argues, that actually redeems us, and therefore makes us better people (hence, the shady histories of all the characters). Further, those who choose goodness have a positive impact on those around them. How others see those choices, be it as a "joke" or "fiasco," is entirely irrelevant. The Bronco Billy story is, at its essence, a Christ parable. There are some clear differences, to be sure, but this is the story of a messiah figure traveling with his disciples.
The late Joseph Campbell spoke about what he called the "power of myth," that is, the consistent themes and principles perpetuated through stories which are translated or adapted to each new generation in order to remain relevant, practical and meaningful. Many of Eastwood's movies, such as Bronco Billy, do exactly that.
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