150 Word Review: 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre' (1948)
Gold fools
Three grizzled prospectors sit around the fire at night and share what they will do with their cut of the gold they've found: The youngest wants to plant fruit trees, the oldest dreams of a quiet life, too. But Humphrey Bogart's Dobbs wants suits and fine meals, and, most of all, he wants to boss around the little guy. That's when Tim Holt's gee-shucks Curtin and Walter Huston's excellent old-timer Howard first realize their business partner is a real Gila monster.
Directed by the great John Huston, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is a western noir set in old Mexico about greedy, good-for-nothing gringos who strike it rich. It's also a nuanced examination of what lurks in men's hearts; Huston's morals are on display—a decent man should know the meaning of "enough." This is one of my favorite Bogart flicks; he's pathetic and threatening, worse than the banditos.