Maverick (1994)

 

Maverick - 1994

Coming up next we have 1994's "Maverick", a story about a man who sets out to prove to himself that he's the best card player around.

The film's cast includes Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, James Garner, Graham Greene, Alfred Molina, James Coburn, Paul L. Smith, Art LaFleur, Danny Glover, Margot Kidder, Reba McEntire, and Jack Garner.

Out in the American West, Brett Maverick sets out to prove that he's the best card player around.  To do this, he plans on entering a high stakes poker game with a total pot worth $500,000.  However, Maverick is short a few thousand dollars for his entry fee.

He enters poker games in an effort to raise the money.  During one he meets an interesting cast of characters, including the hot-tempered Angel.  "From the moment I slapped eyes on this hombre, I smelled trouble...and refried beans," says Maverick.

He also meets Southern belle Annabelle Bransford, whose simple country girl ways are just a cover for what lies beneath her surface.

Maverick wins a large pot after bluffing during a game, which earns him the ire of Angel, who protests about Maverick's self-appointed rule of hardly ever bluffing.  Maverick just smiles and says, "This was one of the hardlys."

We find out that Annabelle Bransford also wants to enter that high stakes poker game, and she'll do anything to get the money to enter.  "The Widow Pork Chop conned me?  What is it with people nowadays anyhow?" asks a bewildered Maverick.

Traveling on the stage out of the town they are in, Maverick and Annabelle join forces with a certain Marshal Zane Cooper, who is in no mood to put up with Maverick's personality.

On their way to the riverboat poker game by stagecoach, the three cross some of America's most beautiful country.

Along the way, they stop to help a group of missionaries who have been attacked by "hostiles" and who want to make them pay.

Maverick and the gang agree to help for a percentage of any money recovered.  And when they find the ones responsible, Maverick has to get creative because they are outnumbered.  "The man who’ll blow your brains out is Marshal Zane Cooper.  You probably heard of him.  I know what you’re thinkin’.  He’s old and decrepit, gums his food and his women.  But he can still shoot straight.  After you is Ugly Annie Bransford.  When she was born, she came out backwards and no one noticed.  Hell, when she was a kid, she was so ugly her parents had to tie a pork chop around her neck so the dog would play with her," Maverick tells the outlaws.

Maverick also raises some money teaming up with a friend to con a European archduke out of some funding.

Of course, hot on Maverick's trail is Angel, who wants revenge for the bluff Maverick pulled during their poker game.

Naturally, Maverick makes it to the riverboat poker game, and he is reunited with Annabelle and Cooper, from whom he got separated.

The poker game is being hosted by Commodore Duvall, and everyone is excited to pay their money to gain entrance to the high stakes game.

Now, I don't need to tell you of the romance that ensues between Maverick and Annabelle.

I also don't need to tell you about the very interesting last hand of the final poker game or the winner of the $500,000 grand prize.

Nor do I need to tell you about the relationship between Maverick and Cooper.  I'll let you watch the film and find out all about it for yourself.

Cast rundown:

   Mel Gibson.............................Brett Maverick

   Jodie Foster............................Annabelle Bransford

   Graham Greene......................Joseph

   Alfred Molina..........................Angel

   James Coburn........................Commodore Duvall

   Paul L. Smith..........................The Archduke

   Art LaFleur.............................Poker Player

   Danny Glover..........................Bank Robber

   Margot Kidder.........................Margaret Mary

   Reba McEntire........................Spectator

   Jack Garner............................Porter

And that's it for Maverick.  James Garner, appearing in this film as Marshal Zane Cooper, originally appeared as Maverick in the hit 1950's TV show of the same name.  The role of Zane Cooper was first offered to Paul Newman, who turned it down.  Meg Ryan was the first choice to play Annabelle Bransford.  Julia Roberts and Michelle Pfeiffer were also considered just in case Jodie Foster wasn't available.

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