Movie Summary - The Misfits

            When The Misfits was released, in 1961, it flopped at the box office. Despite the presence of three Hollywood Stars, a Pulitzer Prize winning writer, and an Oscar winning director, the film barely broke even. Why did The Misfits fail to find its audience? In my opinion, this is due to the fact that it was not a typical Hollywood film; nor did it fit the usual roles played by the movie's stars, whom were otherwise box office gold. Marilyn Monroe was a sex symbol known for her roles as a dumb blonde in romantic comedies. And Clark Gable was known for his heroic roles as the debonair leading man. The Misfits, however, takes a darker look at life. Monroe, Gable, and Clift's characters are troubled and struggling to find their place in a changing world. Perhaps, this portrayal was too dark for an America still experiencing an illusion of optimism and overconfidence. .
             More importantly, is it accurate to still consider The Misfits as a flop today? Although the movie did not find its audience at the time, it is a powerful film that stands as a work of art.
             The Misfits tells the story of newly divorces Roslyn (Monroe) who is not sure what to do. She soon attracts widower Guido (Eli Wallach). Through him she meets cowboy Gay (Gable) and they start a relationship. The men have a plan to catch and sell wild mustangs, but they need another man. At a rodeo they meet Perce (Clift), a beat up bull rider. When the men take Roslyn to watch them wrangle the horses, she learns the horses will be killed for dog food. When she protests, their relationships are tested.
             Arthur Miller was a playwright, best known for Death of a Salesman and The Crucible. He won a Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1949. Miller married Marilyn Monroe in 1956. He wrote The Misfits for her. (Monroe was tired of being type cast and wanted a serious role. This film was her chance to show her range as a serious actress. ) Miller brought his gritty writing style to the script.