@Scub
Watch it again, but with the understanding that violence is an addiction.
That’s an interesting reading, and I’ll definitely keep it in mind if I watch the film again.
I don’t know if the metaphor works quite well, though. Munny seems to be traumatized and paralyzed by his past violence (which seems pretty reasonable), so he has an aversion for violence. An alcoholic may be repulsed by his behavior and actions while intoxicated—especially the people he has hurt—but I’m not sure s/he would be repulsed by alcohol itself.
But if you’re saying alcohol allows him to behave in a violent way, that makes more sense. In any event, I do think your take is an interesting one, and I’m glad you shared it with me.
@Pierre
Thanks for the feedback. I didn’t realize he made a film in the 90s.
Pierre
@Jazzaloha – Cimino only had three films after Year of the Dragon. The Sicilian, which was horrible, a remake of the Desperate Hours with Mickey Rourke again, which is unnecessary and then 1996’s Sunchaser, with woody Harrelson, which came and went.
Cimino is a curiosity for many, who speculate about anything from his plastic surgery to those who think that Heaven’s Gate is underrated. It’s worth watching, but it shows the tell tale hubris of a filmmaker who might be a little over his head.