The Rainmaker

Directed by Joseph Anthony and released in 1956, The Rainmaker is an engaging romantic drama film that explores the core themes of unconditional belief, unexpressed love and self-worth. Starring prolific actors Burt Lancaster, Katharine Hepburn, and Wendell Corey, the film boasts a versatile cast delivering solid performances that greatly enhance the allegorical narrative.

The plot unfolds in a drought-stricken American West, where farmer H.C. Curry (Cameron Prud'Homme) and his sons Noah (Lloyd Bridges) and Jim (Earl Holliman) anxiously pray for rain to save their crops and cattle. The Currys have another pressing concern: the marital prospects of their twenty-something daughter, Lizzie (Katharine Hepburn). Lizzie, intelligent and sensitive, is overlooked by the local men due to her plain looks and pointed intellect. The family fears she may end up an old maid.

Their hopes ride on the town's deputy sheriff, File (Wendell Corey), who is widowed and believed to be single. However, unbeknownst to them, he is carrying the heavy burden of a failed marriage and is not ready for another romantic commitment. Meanwhile, Lizzie struggles with her self-esteem and believes that nobody would want her because she's "plain."

At this point, with their desperation at its peak, a charismatic man, Bill Starbuck (Burt Lancaster), appears, claiming he can bring rain for $100. He presents himself as a part-time con artist and full-time dreamer, breezily selling hope to the desperate and credulous. His bold and overconfident demeanor contrasts sharply with the introspective severity of the Curry family.

Carrying an aura of mystery and magic, the rainmaker Starbuck not only promises to bring rain but also stirs up an emotional storm within the Curry household. His theatrical flair and grand promises of rain are scoffed upon by Noah, the older son, while Jim, the younger one, and Curry, the father, are intrigued by his audacity.

However, it isn't just his charm of bringing an end to the drought that stirs the Curry family; it's his interaction with Lizzie that sets the real plot into action. He sees Lizzie for who she is, far beyond the provincial notions of beauty and acceptance. He considers her to be attractive, smart, and worth loving, a belief that even Lizzie herself has struggled to accept.

Under this stranger's influence, each Curry family member begins questioning their faith in various aspects of their life -- be it religion, relationships, or self-perceptions. The film explores the idea of the magic of faith and the power of self-belief, as Lizzie's transformation is not merely touched by Starbuck's influence but also from her own awakening to her self-worth.

The film interestingly juxtaposes rational doubt and blind faith. Lancaster, as the flamboyant rainmaker using the drought to take advantage of the desperate townfolk, delivers an enchanting performance. Corey, embodying the pragmatic sheriff skeptical of the rainmaker's abilities but reluctant to destroy the town's newfound hope, is just as compelling. Meanwhile, Hepburn's Lizzie heartbreakingly mirrors the longing and hope of a woman yearning for love and acceptance against the backdrop of societal norms.

This 1956 film is an adaptation of the play of the same name by N. Richard Nash. Cinematographers’ Charles Lang's chiaroscuro images, hued with dusty western light and interior shadow, flawlessly mirror the desperate atmosphere of the draught and the bleak feelings of the characters, while Alex North's integrated score creates a perfect mood throughout the film.

The Rainmaker is a compelling cinematic gem with its timeless story, brilliant ensemble cast, and meticulous cinematography that extends far beyond the surface, and of course, Lancaster, Hepburn, and Corey's standout performances. This film is an enchanting brew of romance, drama, and faith in the dustbowl of an American western setting. The Rainmaker surely makes a thought-provoking watch, that prompts reflection on the power of hope and self-belief amidst hardship.