Molly and Lawless John
Molly, the shy, romance-starved wife of an arrogant frontier sheriff, finds herself drawn to a prisoner in her husband's jail. This prisoner, a handsome young man named Johnny, plays on Molly's sympathy and convinces her to help him escape. Molly then accompanies Johnny on his cross-country flight but soon learns he's simply been using her. Molly makes the best of the situation, however, and by the time the sheriff's posse catches up with them, Molly shows that she's learned how to assert herself.
Insights
Plot Summary
In the post-Civil War West, a frontier woman named Molly is repeatedly raped by outlaws. She eventually falls in love with a young cowboy named John, who becomes her protector and lover. Together, they face the harsh realities of the West as they try to build a life for themselves.
Critical Reception
Molly and Lawless John is a lesser-known revisionist Western that garnered mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics praised its attempt at a more gritty and realistic portrayal of frontier life and its strong female lead, others found its graphic violence and dark themes to be gratuitous and off-putting. Its independent production and limited release also contributed to its lower profile.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its attempt at a more realistic portrayal of the Old West.
- Criticized for its explicit depiction of violence and sexual assault.
- Vera Miles's performance as Molly was often highlighted as a strong point.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film was directed by Gary Graver, who also worked as a cinematographer on numerous low-budget films and B-movies throughout his career.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources