The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

This week's easiest comedy pick in Australia on HBO Max is The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Paul Newman is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on HBO Max.

The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The jokes in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Outlaw and self-appointed lawmaker Judge Roy Bean rules over an empty stretch of the West that gradually grows, under his iron fist, into a thriving town, while dispensing his his own quirky brand of frontier justice upon strangers passing by. Between them, Paul Newman and Victoria Principal carry the comedy without ever forcing it. It hit screens in 1972. What keeps The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean is a strong candidate. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Paul Newman's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.

The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean was released in 1972, directed by John Huston. The full 120-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.