Rancho Deluxe (1975)

67% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
40% of users liked it
(1,438 ratings)

In Frank Perry's curious, off-center comedy Western, Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston play Jack McKee and Cecil Carlson, a couple of cattle rustlers whose special target is taciturn rancher John Brown (Clifton James). Both men are outcasts by choice; McKee can't stand being around his stuck-up ex-wife… More In Frank Perry's curious, off-center comedy Western, Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston play Jack McKee and Cecil Carlson, a couple of cattle rustlers whose special target is taciturn rancher John Brown (Clifton James). Both men are outcasts by choice; McKee can't stand being around his stuck-up ex-wife (played by Doria Cook), while Carlson, an Indian, finds his fellow tribesmen too tradition-bound for his tastes. Together, they plan to lift themselves out of the penny-ante class with one big crime caper. Brown gets wind of their scheme, and sends private eye Henry Beige (Slim Pickens) after them. The cast is top-heavy with attractive women, ranging from Brown's bored wife, Cora (Elizabeth Ashley), to "camp followers" Betty Fargo (Patti D'Arbanville) and Mary Fargo (Maggie Wellman). Thomas McGuane authored the script; Jimmy Buffett provides the songs. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Frank Perry
Written By: Thomas McGuane
Genres: Western, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Mar 14, 1975 Wide
On DVD: Dec 19, 2000

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
The humor is too throwaway when it isn't laid on with a trowel.
Richard Eder, New York Times
It is so cool it is barely alive.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
There's nothing so hapless as a movie made in the wrong style, especially when the director doggedly insists on that style to the bitter end.
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Surprise: Frank Perry kept his wits about him long enough to make this mildly watchable 1974 film about the modern west.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An underrated anti-western about modern-day cattle rustlers.
, Time Out
In keeping with the audience it is aimed at, the film is self-consciously cynical and insolent, and at the same time fundamentally romantic and seeking to be liked. The combination works surprisingly well, thanks to good ensemble acting.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A funny movie set in contemporary Montana that is rich in oddball characters and a light satirical touch
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
Rambling but entertaining flick.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Adam M

Elizabeth Ashley, Harry Dean Stanton and Richard Bright...and the scene where Bridges and Stanton are talking over Pong
Stephen E

Watching "Rancho Deluxe" is an experience that no one should have to endure. The film is unbearable and painful and awful in almost every cinematic aspect that there is. It is horrendously scripted, edited, and acted, and after 45 minutes of watching the director trip over… More
Watching "Rancho Deluxe" is an experience that no one should have to endure. The film is unbearable and painful and awful in almost every cinematic aspect that there is. It is horrendously scripted, edited, and acted, and after 45 minutes of watching the director trip over his own two feet countless of times, I shut the film off. What a waste of celluloid.

Cast

            Jeff Bridges as Jack McKee

            Sam Waterson
            
            Sam Waterston as Cecil Colson

            Elizabeth Ashley as Cora Brown

            Charlene Dallas as Laura Beige

            Clifton James as John Brown

            Slim Pickens as Henry Beige

            Harry Dean Stanton as Curt

            Richard Bright as Burt

            Patti D'Arbanville as Betty Fargo

            Maggie Wel Wellman as Mary Fargo

            Jimmy Buffett as Himself

            Bert Conway as Wilbur Fargo

            Doria Cook as Anna

            Ronda Copland as Dee

            Helen Craig as Mrs. Castle

            Patti Jerome as Madame

            Sandy Kenyon as Skinny Face

            Richard McMurray as McKee

            John Quade as Circular Face

            Jon Rodgers as Clerk

            Joe Spinell as Colson

            Joseph Sullivan as Dizzy

            Anthony Palmer as Karl

            Danna Hansen as Mrs. McKee

            Warren Oates
            
See full cast