Open Range
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Movie Reviews of Open Range
Movie Review: HOME ON THE RANGE
Summary: 5 Stars
OPEN RANGE is a shamefully overlooked Western epic that ranks right up there with UNFORGIVEN and for my money is more entertaining than Costner's DANCES WITH WOLVES. Whereas WOLVES seemed to be more of a vanity project, OPEN RANGE is a beatifully developed tale in which Costner the director doesn't focus all his time on Costner the actor, but lets the brilliance of Robert Duvall and Annette Bening shine too. Costner, though, gives one of his most impressive performances as Duvall's partner whose violent past catches up with him in a confrontation with a hostile landowner, played sharply by British actor Michael Gambon. Ms. Bening is moving, too, as the sister of the town doctor, who finds herself enamored with Costner---she's a remarkably underappreciated actress (see AMERICAN PRESIDENT for example). But it's Duvall, whose performance as the world-weary cattle driver, who seems to bring the most heart to the picture. Filmed in Calgary, the film's majestic panorama doesn't overshadow the people and it is the avoidance of the Western cliches that makes OPEN RANGE such a refreshingly entertaining film. There's lots of action, but there's some fine dialogue and scenes with much heart and wisdom that frame this eloquent ode to the American West. I wasn't expecting a lot from this film, but it surprised me with its excellence and eloquence.Movie Review: If only all westerns were this good
Summary: 5 Stars
What a surprise. I can't call myself a Western fan, but I do really like some westerns. This film is above and beyond any other western I've seen though.Kevin Costner (who seems to hit or miss with his roles) is outstanding. I can't stress this enough. His character is so believable it kinda takes you off guard.
There is no melo-drama in this film, no guns blazing for the sake of guns blazing. But that's not to say that guns never blaze in this film.
If anything, I will ALWAYS remember this film for the scene where Costner confronts the man who killed one of Costner's hired hands. Wow! Swarzenegger and Stallone could only dream of being this bad-ass. And yes, I know how weird it sounds to use bad-ass and Costner in the same sentence, but watch the movie and you'll see what I mean.
Duvall and Benning give stellar performances as well. In fact I can't fault any actor throughout this entire film.
Bottom line, if you like substance in your films, love great, no make that outstanding acting, wonderful cinematography, a believable story and the bad guys getting whats coming to them, there is no film I can recommend more.
And to think I didn't even want to see this film.
If you do like this film I also recommend Wyatt Earp, also a Costner film. It's not quite as good as Open Range, but definately a good film.
Movie Review: Best Western I've ever seen!
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie transcends the western genre by showing the character of most of the characters: their psychological struggles and the "baggage" that they bring with them in their daily lives as cattlemen.
Yes, technically it is a western, but it's one of those classic works about finding out what's important in life comes when you discover what's worth dying for.
Robert Duval and Kevin Costner, through their language and acting abilities, give such depth to their characters, that viewers hope they will somehow survive against such terrible odds.
The dialogue and writing for this movie also make it far larger than nearly all other western--it's almost poetry, as they reveal likeable facets of their character. It was a touching gesture to include in their description to the town folk, of what had happened to them, the simple phrase, "They shot our dog." Such lines emphasize their feelings and the degree of their "hurt."
This is like an epic struggle of good against evil, but you'll find yourself so caught up in the personal lives of the good guys, that you'll wish you could be there to help them. This is not an ordinary western. It's real "good guys" against the bad guys. Even if you're someone who has never cared for westerns, please give this a chance.
Movie Review: Open Range Delivers
Summary: 5 Stars
Every decade or so a movie comes along which helps prove the Western is THE classic American film genre. In the 90's you had Dances with Wolves AND Unforgiven. Now there is Open Range.
This is a story about four men trying to escape their past and create a better future on the American Frontier. The problem is, they are free grazing, driving their cattle from place to place, depleting the resources then moving on. At this time in history though, the West is being fenced in, and the free grazers are seen as a threat by the land owners. After their friend is killed, Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) and his friend Charlie (Kevin Costern) go on a quest to seek vengence and hopefully find redemption.
The cinematography is excellent, and the script is first rate. The best thing about this film, for me, is the fact Kevin Costner doesn't play a good guy. While he is on the side of the "good guys" his character is a complicated fellow with a long and dark past. Kevin's portrayal of this character is perfect.
Of course Robert Duvall is first rate, as is Miss Benning. Personally, I thought this film should have received some attention from the Academy, but alas, it was ignored.
Highly Recommended!
Movie Review: Well worth the price of Admission!
Summary: 5 Stars
There are only a handful of Westerns that are worth watching more than once, and "Open Range" is one of them. It's a western film with a thinking audience in mind.
The story, the actors, and the fine cinematography all contributed to a great veiwing experience. Annette Benning and Kevin Costner were beleivable in the roles that they played, and I got a particular kick out of seeing the character portrayed by Robert Duval as sort of a reprise to Lonesome Dove's Augustus McCrae.
The storyline and the characters are developed and revealed logically, without a lot of cartoonlike theatrics. There is a violent side to the story, but some of the violence at play in the story is suggested rather than made graphic; Which is actually a refreshing change, since "Open Range" is a western in the classic sense.
I'm not going to say anything about the story other that to mention that it's the sort of standard fare about good versus evil in the old west. Other than that, "Open Range" is the sort of sophisticated western cinema in the same mold as "Lonesome Dove", "The Wild Bunch", "Will Penny", "Unforgiven", "Gunfight at OK Corral" and "The Searchers".