Despite the challenges posed by typecasting, some actors possess an innate versatility that allows them to overcome these barriers. Peck was undoubtedly one of those actors. His portrayal of an even more morally complex character in “Duel in the Sun” highlighted his ability to transcend predefined molds.
Trouble From the Start
Revelry reigns in a bustling saloon during the 1880s with drinking, dancing, and other forms of merrymaking. Amid the lively atmosphere, Scott Chavez (Herbert Marshall) engages in a game of cards at a table with fellow patrons.His Native American wife (Tilly Losch) captivates a raucous crowd of yowling men with her sensual dance on the saloon’s main stage. One man (Sidney Blackmer), increasingly infatuated with her flirtatious performance, whisks her away for some lovin’ following her act.
The Mestiza daughter of Chavez and his wife, Pearl (Jones) tragically witnesses her father shoot her mother dead. He is soon jailed for the honor killing. As Chavez awaits his execution by hanging, he reveals his intentions for her future: Pearl will find a new life with his cousin, Laura Belle McCanles (Gish), who resides in Texas.
Upon her arrival in Paradise Flats, a dust-strewn Texas frontier town, Pearl encounters Jesse (Cotten), the kind-hearted elder son of Laura Belle. He extends a warm welcome and transports her to the sprawling McCanles ranch, Spanish Bit, which spans no less than one million acres of rugged terrain.
At the ranch, Pearl is introduced not only to Laura Belle but also to younger son, Lewt (Peck), and the family patriarch, Jackson (Barrymore), known as “The Senator,” who is confined to a wheelchair. The atmosphere sours as he makes racist remarks about Pearl’s native heritage. Lewt makes lewd advances despite her discomfort.
Missing the Mark
Selznick’s ambitious adaptation of the 1944 novel of the same name (by novelist and screenwriter Niven Busch) creates a melodramatic tone that falls short of fleshing out Pearl’s character. Her conflicting emotions for Lewt lead to a tiring and somewhat shallow portrayal that makes me question her journey. Sometimes she loves him, sometimes she hates him; sometime he is drawn to her, sometimes he leaves her in the dust. It all gets a little exhausting after a while.Jennifer Jones’s performance, characterized by overacting, adds an excessive layer to an already exaggerated plot. Her incessant fidgeting and exaggerated expressions detract from any substance in her scenes, making it difficult to fully engage with the story.
The subplot involving the railroad in development, which encroaches on Spanish Bit lands, feels underdeveloped, resulting in a grand production with notable moments, but a disjointed narrative.
Peck, however, turns in a devilishly convincing performance as the dastardly Lewt—perhaps too good of a job, actually. His character is a highly flawed man with compromised morals who eventually goes on the run for his horrible deeds. This, at least, attests to Peck’s versatility, since I hated his character.
While the film boasts impressive visuals and a compelling score, its overly dramatic script prioritizes intense emotions that often overshadow other story elements. Unfortunately, this imbalance results in a climax that feels lacking and even borders on the silly.
Despite its flaws, “Duel in the Sun” remains strangely fascinating, if sometimes for the wrong reasons.
