: Open Range
Director: Kevin Costner
Surprisingly good Western. The plot’s nothing fancy: a cattle baron’s out to harrass some freegrazers (played by Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner) and steal their cattle. It reminded me strongly of Unforgiven, the violence is furious and shocking as we watch the gentle characters we know turn brutal. The big gunfight at the end is excellent — long and detailed enough to feel like a good payoff, and yet still realistic and gritty and stunningly fast. Though the film makes and effort, there’s nothing deep here: just good old fashioned Americans fighting for freedom and justice against a corrupt sherrif and an evil rich dude. Much of the “profound” character-based stuff comes across as too light or is so heavyhanded as to not work (i.e., when the kid, Button, and Mose play-wrestle, we’re supposed to be moved by the contrast to their later tragedy). Still, it’s an interesting film, and the pace is unusual for a current release. It’s worth seeing.
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