The Searchers

John Wayne was once the biggest star in Hollywood--quite a feat if all of his characters were as big a dick as the man hunting for his lost niece in this flick. Wayne is here at his iconic--if dickish--best; he's not the problem. This is almost a really good Western movie, taking in Wayne, the spectacular scenery, some heavy duty cowboys vs. Indians shit...Yet, in the end, there are problems. Both Wayne's character, and his niece, make 180º reversals at the climax which seem all out of step with what has gone before. These inconsistencies seem only to serve the purpose of a (somewhat) happy ending. That weakness pulls down the rest of the movie.