Malcolm McDowell was a Hollywood darling in the 70s with films like “A Clockwork Orange,” “If…,” and “O Lucky Man.” He went on to have one of the best, most well rounded careers in the biz. He even has a star on the Walk of Fame.
McDowell is now 83. He was the oldest person on the set of his latest indie film, a Western called “Last Train To Fortune,” directed by acclaimed indie filmmaker Adam Rifkin and written by his late mother, writer Michele Rifkin.
McDowell plays an uptight schoolteacher who forms an uncommon bond with a fearsome outlaw (James Paxton) as they embark on a perilous journey to the Old West town of Fortune.
At a recent Q and A in Los Angeles, McDowell told me that, “I‘ve lived in the US longer than I’ve lived in the UK. But even in the old country I was always drawn to too Westerns. Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, all those great cowboys. I didn’t think I’d ever make a Western because I starred in offbeat arty movies like “Clockwork Orange” and “O Lucky Man” that doesn’t put me at the top of the casting list for Westerns. This script came to me and I fell in love with it. We had a meeting with my neighbor and good friend Bill Paxton. He fell in love with it too,” he said.
McDowell continued, “Adam was going to direct it. Bill then tragically passed far too young. Some years went by. Adam came up to see me and asked me would I still want to do it. I said yes, lets’ get Bill’s son James, who was now a working actor, to fill his shoes.” McDowell added, “Independent movies give you stories like this. That’s why I’ve always been drawn to doing these types of movies. Now some are crap, but the odd pearl is there. On this one, we found the pearl.”
“Last Train to Fortune” is a gem of an indie film; lovely, charming and witty. McDowell masterfully plays the proper mannered English gent Cecil Peachtree. Cecil is an uptight teacher who is headed to the frontier town of Fortune to become the new school master. Peachtree is passionately devoted to his beloved books and has lived his life dreaming of the adventures found within the pages.
But his plans go massively awry as he crosses paths with the rough and tough outlaw Dooley, played wonderfully by Paxton. Their journey is fraught with danger yet they come to realize that each of them has a knowledge that they both lack and want for themselves. Both want to have that elusive second chance in life, and their unlikely friendship has a deep and unexpected effect on one another.
Shout outs to the iconic Broadway star Bernadette Peters who plays Miss Lily the saloon keeper, Oscar winner Mary Steenburgen (McDowell’s real life ex wife) who plays a school teacher, and Disney superstar Laura Marano as the saloon girl Amanda. Honorable mention goes to Mehdi Ajourdi who plays a standout crazy eyed villainous outlaw named Charlie.
McDowell owns the screen as he should; oozing charisma, comic timing; well he’s a sheer joy to watch. “Last Train To Fortune” has a huge cinematic heart at its fetching, enchanting center.
“Last Train to Fortune” is playing at Angelika theaters and and selected Laemmle theaters nationwide. It should definitely be in the mix for the Indie Spirit Awards.
