“The Shooting” is an unusual 1966 Western set in the desert, featuring Jack Nicholson and Warren Oates. Directed by Monte Hellman and written by Carole Eastman under the name "Adrien Joyce," the film follows two men (Warren Oates and Will Hutchins) who are asked by a mysterious woman (Millie Perkins) to escort her across the Utah desert to a distant town. During their trip, they encounter a silent, dark-clad gunslinger (Jack Nicholson), someone the woman knows. This early role for Nicholson is worth watching if you appreciate films that stray from the norm. Millie Perkins is appealing and Will Hutchins makes a believable young companion while Oates portrays a relatable central character, and Nicholson exudes quiet hostility. It's easy to understand why the younger man would be drawn to her, despite any doubts about her intentions, but it’s even easier to see why Willet has serious reservations. The movie is also recommended for those who enjoy films depicting people lost in the desert. While the conclusion seems confusing, the explanations are present if you pay close attention and consider the details. ***SPOILER ALERT*** (Do not read this paragraph unless you’ve seen the film). As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that the woman is pursuing Oates' brother, who apparently killed a child or a person of small stature—likely her own child, friend, or relative. When they finally locate him at the end, it turns out the supposed killer is Willet's identical twin brother, who looks exactly like him, which explains his name, Coin (as in, 'the other side of the coin'). Given this fact, why didn’t the woman assume that Willett (Oates) was responsible for the death since he resembles the actual perpetrator, Coin? The explanation is that she was told Coin had a twin brother living near the town and believed he would be best suited to track down the guilty party. In any case, the twin brothers represent the duality of human nature: Willet symbolizes the good side while Coin embodies more destructive tendencies. They symbolize the converging sides of the existential coin relating to the human experience, which culminate in disastrous results at the end. ***END SPOILER*** Ultimately, "The Shooting" is a simple, independent 60s Western with occasional moments of surrealism and brilliance, as well as stretches that are rather ordinary (so be prepared for some slow, uninteresting parts). It's less direct than “Ride in the Whirlwind,” which was made shortly before this one and on similar locations. Some have labeled it the first "acid Western," but I wouldn’t go that far; it has odd elements, but not too many. The film is 82 minutes long and filmed in Kanab, Utah. GRADE: B/B-

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