MovieChat Forums > Tombstone (1993) Discussion > This is a great movie to watch in repeat...

This is a great movie to watch in repeat and quite often BUT

posted 4 years ago by BourbonKing (5612)
9 replies | jump to latest

I don't get the uberhype and love for Val Kilmer's cheesy Southern caricature known as Doc Holiday. He did a good job creating a memory of him viewed thru rosy tinted glasses but it was lightweight in its execution and maudlin in his dramatic approach. Maybe that's why Tombstone feels more like a Movie of the week instead of an epic Hollywood Western.

Consequentially though, Wyatt Earp with Costner has an epic Hollywood Western oeuvre but I think both Costner and Quaid were a bit too morose. I do like the story better than Tombstone as it gives Wyatt more of a character arc, unlike Tombstone which just introduces Wyatt as a monotone badass straight out of a country music video.

[–] stickman38 (3011) 4 years ago

I think that's just it. It's because he is like a caricature of Doc Holiday is why people like it so much. He personifies all that we know about the old west and that includes the tall tales.

However, it might not have been all that much a caricature of Doc Holiday. According to what people said about the real Doc Holiday is that he was pretty close to what you see in the movie, a gentleman gambler, witty and great with a gun.

[–] BourbonKing (5612) 4 years ago

From what I've read there are different accounts and the writers and Kilmer weaved a character born out of the most appealing strain. There's nothing wrong with that, but I constantly hear and read comments that Val was robbed of an Oscar nomination in the least. Bitch please.

[–] stickman38 (3011) 4 years ago

I wouldn't have had a problem with at least a nomination but the competition for supporting actor was pretty stiff that year. He would have been going against the following...

Tommy Lee Jones - The Fugitive
Leonardo DiCaprio - What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Ralph Fiennes - Schindler's List
John Malkovich - In the Line of Fire
Pete Postlethwaite - In the Name of the Father

All 5 movie are highly acclaimed by critics and 3 of these films were nominated for best picture as well, with Schindler's List taking the big prize....

Unfortunately, the only film I've seen is Shindler's List but Fiennes was damn good as Amon Goeth, it would be hard to pick Kilmer over Fiennes. But how many have you seen? What is your take on it? Tommy Lee Jones did win best SA.

Again, the critics loved all 5 of these films. So, not likely Kilmer would have won but I think it would have been a nice gesture to have nominated him, fans really liked him. His performance in Tombstone is quite memorable.

[–] stickman38 (3011) 4 years ago

Bourbon,

I watched ITLOF last night and while Malkovich was very good in it, I think Kilmer was slightly better. I wrote a little review on it's board if you want to check it out and comment if you're up to it. Have you seen it?

I'm going to watch The Fugitive pretty soon.

[–] ozz969 (362) 4 years ago

I don't know about historical accuracy. It's a movie. I thought Val Kilmer was the highlight of the movie. The "I'm you're huckleberry" line is ingrained in my mind whenever I see a challenge in life. He is quotable. Sam Elliott is practically the definition of "Western" . And Kurt Russell was outstanding. Epic western? Yes.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

My fave scene was the Latin showdown between Kilmer's Holiday and Beihn's Johnny Ringo.

[–] ozz969 (362) 4 years ago

"Poor soul, you were just too high strung". Exactly what I'm talking about.

[–] Ripkens25 (1898) 4 years ago

Part of what people love about that Doc Holiday character and how Kilmer played him is...it captures the very essence of true friendship, through thick and thin.

[–] ozz969 (362) 4 years ago

"Hell, I got lots of friends."
"I don't."

Two words, perfectly delivered.