Butch Cassidy and Sundance work so well together because despite the fact that they're both outlaws in the Old West, they're very different characters. Butch is congenial, intelligent, and charming, a man who can dream up schemes and influence others to join him. Sundance, on the other hand, is a bit more taciturn and moody. He's successful not because of his personality, but because of his prodigious skill. And that's what audiences are shown during the movie's first scene with Sundance. They're playing a darkly lit poker game when someone makes the mistake of accusing him of cheating. Throughout the entire scene, the camera tightly frames Sundance as the conversation goes on. He's understandably offended, to the point where Butch is begging Sundance to let it go and just leave. And he agrees, but only if the men who accused him invite them to stay. When they realize exactly who they've been playing cards with, they're awed, intimidated, and only too eager to please. And who can blame them, after watching him shoot a man's gun out of his holster and across the room?
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
