Dead Man (1995)
dir: Jim Jarmusch
In bringing his distinct vision to the Western genre, writer-director Jim Jarmusch has created a quasi-mystical avant-garde drama that remains a deeply spiritual viewing experience. After losing his parents and fiancée, a Cleveland accountant named William Blake (a remarkable Johnny Depp) spends all his money and takes a train to the frontier town of Machine in order to work at a factory. Upon arriving in Machine, he is denied his expected job and finds himself a fugitive after murdering a man in self-defense. Wounded and helpless, Blake is befriended by Nobody (Gary Farmer), a wandering Native American who considers him to be a ghostly manifestation of the famous poet. Nobody aids Blake in his flight from three bumbling bounty hunters, preparing him for his final journey--a return to the world of the spirits. Jarmusch once again employs the beautifully contrasted black-and-white photography of Robby Müller, which sets a poetic, dreamy mood. He also fades in and out of scenes in order to better reflect Blake's dazed, weak mental state. Adding an even greater depth to the film is Neil Young's haunting score, which completes the overall effect. DEAD MAN stands firmly as a timeless work of art whose impact only increases upon subsequent viewings. (Rotten Tomatoes)
Cast:
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Johnny Depp
William Blake
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Gary Farmer
Nobody
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Crispin Glover
Train Fireman
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Lance Henriksen
Cole Wilson
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Michael Wincott
Conway Twill
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Eugene Byrd
Johnny 'The Kid' Pickett
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John Hurt
John Scholfield
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Robert Mitchum
John Dickinson
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Iggy Pop
Salvatore 'Sally' Jenko
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Gabriel Byrne
Charlie Dickinson
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Jared Harris
Benmont Tench
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Mili Avital
Thel Russell
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Jimmie Ray Weeks
Marvin, Older Marshal
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Mark Bringleson
Lee, Younger Marshal
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John North
Mr. Olafsen
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Peter Schrum
Drunk
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Mike Dawson
Old Man with 'Wanted' Posters
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Billy Bob Thornton
Big George Drakoulious
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Michelle Thrush
Nobody's Girlfriend
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Gibby Haynes
Man with Gun in Alley
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Richard Boes
Man with Wrench
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George Duckworth
Man at End of Street
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Thomas Bettles
Young Nobody #1
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Alfred Molina
Trading Post Missionary
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Daniel Chas Stacy
Young Nobody #2
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Todd Pfeiffer
Man #2 at Trading Post
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Leonard Bowechop
Makah Villager #1
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Cecil Cheeka
Makah Villager #2
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Michael McCarty
Makah Villager #3