HIGH NOON

"I've got to, that's the whole thing."

HIGH NOON is a pretty simple movie. It's a play on good versus evil, with Gary Cooper in maybe his most iconic role ever as Will Kane, the marshal of a small town in the west. He must lay his demons to rest by confronting four criminals who have come to town to kill him, on the same day he married his girl (the gorgeous Grace Kelly) and settle down. There is still time for them to run off. The killers won't find them. They don't have to confront them.

The film is a powerful but very simplistic take on honor and confronting one's demons. One by one, everyone in the town turns down Kane's plea for help. Four armed killers are too much to handle for him, but he must do it anyway. Even though the whole movie is in a way about him getting shot down over and over again, it doesn't feel repetitive or false. Though the supporting actors don't get much screentime, they feel authentic and genuine. Why on earth would they stick their neck out for the person who is supposed to be protecting them, right? A new marshal is showing up the next day anyway. It isn't their concern.

All the while a single song is played over and over again. "Do not forsake me oh my darling" are the main lyrics to this poignant, simplistic tune. Their is no real hidden message in these lyrics. There is no real hidden message in this movie. It is simply one man's two hour odyssey to put his mind at piece no matter what the adversary or the setbacks. Cooper is strong and charismatic as Kane. His performance is dignified and iconic.

A