bad film - a bit of a train wreck

I think that's simply because the nazi subplot wasn't the point at the end. We were supposed to have the feeling that it was a major point of the movie just like Cheyenne was kind of focused on it, determined to get to the guy, or gradually decided to find him and do something about the whole issue, not really knowing what it is he wants to do... Which is kind of the whole point. It's about the proverbial journey.

I think the film is about his boredom and its roots being - as is usually the case - in places you'd never think of. And once he lets go of his own burdens, he finds his form of catharsis by dismissing the nazi obsession in a most effective way (his revenge is far more effective than the kind of revenge suggested by the gun store guy).

So... This is pretty much a film about money not being everything it's cracked up to be; about boredom, disillusionment, and most of all it's a film about those little things in life, like many other movies, but seen through this ex-rock star character it takes a different and more challenging approach, I guess. It hides many brilliant statements, to be fair. But movies like this, with their slow pace and quirky characters, are seldom understood by mainstream audiences, simply because the average viewer won't take the time to get absorbed by the atmosphere or to relate to the main characters.

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"A right must exist independently of its exercise."
- Inside I'm Dancing

And I agree with you, katentek. I have seen this film twice, and enjoyed it even more in the second watching. The second watching allows one to take in the spectacular scenery, the lighting details, and the great choices in the music even more closely, since you are already prepared for the character development, which is beautiful and stunning in its own right.

I look forward to seeing a third time. There are some films that are just that intriguing. Great work by Sean Penn; he was exactly right for the part, in every way.