FairTrack of the Cat is a one off for almost everyone involved. Being a big Mitchum fan I really enjoyed his role here. He plays Curt as an egocentric bully & swaggers throughout. I enjoyed his performance immensely. Wellman's cinematic style here is Austere., cold, with only a few splashes of color.
The mood is downbeat throughout. Visually it's stunning. The splashes of color especially Mitchum in that red jacket just pops out from the drab surroundings...The snow is omnipresent & the mountains can look terrifying.
The mis-steps here IMO are multiple. Not showing the Panther. No central character takes the thematic lead...no one seems very interesting other than Mitchum's Curt & his character is rather nasty..there are hints at supernantural themes that seem tepid to the plot's progression.
Tad Hunter is bland but to be fair I think this was pretty early on for him & he was out of his depth, somewhat uncomfortable. None of the other family seem intriguing either, other than the Mother's character.
On the other hand, great visuals, haunting moments., real feelings of isolation & coldness throughout.
The relationship between Curt & his Mother. Curt is obviously her favorite son & it shows.
Mitchum's character has a rather interesting unwravelling in the closing third that is quite haunting. From Mitchum's stalking of the cat up to his desperate search for the way home & survival in the winter is daunting, almost gothic. His night in the cave, starting a fire. That vision of the Home w the signal fire burning, the calling home of a wayward spirit so to speak. This entire final third is really something to watch.....so is the opening & scenes up to the point where Mitchum starts his search for the cat.
Also Arthur's burial is pretty unique & haunting.
Over-all enough to satisfy discerning film viewers looking for something a little different. It's a gothic pseudo-western / drama with supernatural elements, unique visuals & Mitchum is always enhoyable...recommended.
The mood is downbeat throughout. Visually it's stunning. The splashes of color especially Mitchum in that red jacket just pops out from the drab surroundings...The snow is omnipresent & the mountains can look terrifying.
The mis-steps here IMO are multiple. Not showing the Panther. No central character takes the thematic lead...no one seems very interesting other than Mitchum's Curt & his character is rather nasty..there are hints at supernantural themes that seem tepid to the plot's progression.
Tad Hunter is bland but to be fair I think this was pretty early on for him & he was out of his depth, somewhat uncomfortable. None of the other family seem intriguing either, other than the Mother's character.
On the other hand, great visuals, haunting moments., real feelings of isolation & coldness throughout.
The relationship between Curt & his Mother. Curt is obviously her favorite son & it shows.
Mitchum's character has a rather interesting unwravelling in the closing third that is quite haunting. From Mitchum's stalking of the cat up to his desperate search for the way home & survival in the winter is daunting, almost gothic. His night in the cave, starting a fire. That vision of the Home w the signal fire burning, the calling home of a wayward spirit so to speak. This entire final third is really something to watch.....so is the opening & scenes up to the point where Mitchum starts his search for the cat.
Also Arthur's burial is pretty unique & haunting.
Over-all enough to satisfy discerning film viewers looking for something a little different. It's a gothic pseudo-western / drama with supernatural elements, unique visuals & Mitchum is always enhoyable...recommended.