Ride with the Devil
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Movie Reviews of Ride with the Devil
Movie Review: What a ride.
Summary: 5 Stars
Civil War epic involving the confused guerilla warfare that happened along the Missouri-Kansas border. We learn that this region wasn't exactly teeming with regular armies, but rather was the scene of isolated groups waging local war: Confederate sympathizers were "Bushwackers"; Unionists were "Jayhawkers". *Ride with the Devil* is another brilliant example of the seemingly endless fund of storytelling material about the Civil War that has yet to be fully tapped. With such an advantage, the movie is bound to excite attention. What keeps that attention is the brilliant pacing of the narrative and Ang Lee's deft direction. These young men on the run, hardened beyond their years, enjoined with a very bad cause to start with, experience loss after loss and yet grow immeasurably within, particularly Tobey Maguire's Rodell and Jeffrey Wright's magnificent renegade slave, Holt. (Both Maguire and Wright perform superbly.) I don't know how Ang Lee pulls it off, but we watch Maguire's character harden, toughen, and mature most subtly, without fanfare-of-trumpets setpieces that beat us over the head (e.g., Gibson's *Patriot*.) It's a shock when, late in the film, Rodell gets a haircut that reveals how young he actually is. Quite simply, I cannot praise this movie enough. How on earth *Ride with the Devil* got so thoroughly snubbed by the industry, audiences, and critics is beyond me. The critics, in particular, took a total bath on this one. Perhaps the world wasn't quite ready for Ang Lee's brand of intelligent action pictures. Hopefully, with the groundbreaking success of *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, folks will see Mr. Lee's name on this movie's DVD box and give it a rent. Hopefully, so will you -- you won't regret it. This movie's great.Movie Review: A Great Discovery
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this movie blind. I enjoy period flicks and, while seeing what was out there in Amazon.com land, I came across Ride With The Devil. I must admit, I know little about the stars in this movie (I did recognize MacGuire from Spiderman, and I've heard of - but not heard - Jewel), so it was a chance to spend my hard earned cash on it. I'm glad I did.
Engulfing, exciting, suspenceful, and, most importantly, realistic. Not politically correct. Maybe that's why it didn't do well at the box office and critics panned it. But, it IS true to its time.
The border wars was a part of the Civil War that has hardly (if ever) been touched upon - that boundary where one straddles the fence. The problem was that one couldn't straddle the fence in a state like Missouri. They had to choose Yankee or Rebel. Jayhawk or Bushwack. And you feel clearly, while watching this movie, the turmoil that must have been raging in these citizen's minds and stomachs when they chose one side and a close friend or family member chose the other.
You also feel the deep sorrow and sympathy for ALL involved - North and South - no matter what side you stand for - when Jake reads the touching letter from a mother to her son, showing that these were people who had lives and loved ones waiting for them at home.
It's movies like this that brings these mid 19th century people to life, showing us that they're not just flat black and white pictures in a history book. And that is why this movie stands above so many other historical films.
I must warn you, however, that there is quite a bit of graphic violence. Believe me, you'll feel their pain!
Movie Review: Tobey Maguire never better, plus great supporting cast
Summary: 5 Stars
Forget Spider-Man. Yeah, different genre, different period. Maguire gives us an outstanding performance as Jake Roedel, a bushwhacking marauder wreaking havoc on the Union Army during the Civil War. Skeet Ulrich as Jack Bull Chiles, Simon Baker as George Clyde and Jeffrey Wright as Daniel Holt are his close associates during most of the ride. With Jonathan Rhys Myers as Roedel's ally/nemesis, Pitt Mackerson; presenting a racist and very convincing neanderthal who just feeds on killing people.
I won't go over the plot, which has been done for many reviews. But I must say that Jeffrey Wright gives an absolutely great performance in his role as George Clyde's sidekick/freed slave ("George Clyde's ni**er - what he was called in the movie) and then Jake Roedel's "riding buddy" (for want of a more descriptive term) to the end of the movie.
Special note to Jim Caviezel as Black John, a psychopath killer and leader of men. Mostly bent on revenge for the deaths of women he knew. Remarkable and amazing performance by Jewel as Sue Lee Shelley, the twice widowed wife, and mother of Jack Bull Chiles baby. She comes across as demure, honest, low-keyed but still self-confident. Truly s surprise casting and very credible performance.
Good detail of story line regarding the infamous Quantrill's Raiders. The ending scene with Daniel Holt and Jake Roedel was the most moving of the many moving scenes (as should be). Kudos to the composer of the ending music and the editor, plus ending theme by Jewel.
Movie Review: Much more than I bargained for
Summary: 5 Stars
I only bought this DVD because I'm a huge Jewel fan and I knew very little about the movie except that she was in it. While her performance was very good for an acting debut I got a lot more than I expected in terms of the rest of the cast and the movie as a whole. This film was marvelously done in pretty much every way. The story flows well and really captures some of the horrors of war as well as the way friendships and people develop and change over time. It has something for everyone as it mixes action,drama,and humor along with some wonderful cinematography to make a thoroughly satisfying movie. I was struck by the contrasting elements in this film that mirror the human experience. It's beautiful and brutal,touching and tragic,and there is love and loss. And then there's the acting. I had seen Skeet Ulrich in Scream and Chill Factor and he does well in this movie but I was far more impressed with Tobey Maguire as Jake and Jeffrey Wright as Holt. They are both great actors and worked well together. As I mentioned before,Jewel was surprisingly good as Sue Lee. Last but certainly not least;I was blown away by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Pitt Mackeson. His performance was menacing and intense with just a touch of icy charm and he may have stolen the show if he had a bigger part. I really love this movie and I think if it had gotten wider distribution and a little initial publicity word of mouth alone could have made it a big hit. Everyone involved in making it should be proud of their work and I highly recommend it.
Movie Review: Either way you ride with the Devil.
Summary: 5 Stars
The direction, cinematography, casting and performances **top notch**. Ang Lee is one the finest drama film directors working today. His credits include "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Brokeback Mountain", which are both amazing films if you've not seen them. I gather from folks "Ride with Devil" managed to be a pretty accurate depiction of the reality of the Civil War in Missouri. Hollywood has a long, LONG list of movies that are absurdly inaccurate in their portrayal of the Civil War. Of course Hollywood usually carelessly gets historic events it depicts wrong. But not here. War is hell. War is war and it's horrible. But it might be true that civil war is the most devastating in that families and neighbors are often ripped apart and pitted against one another in what amounts to a blood feud. This is what happened throughout the country, especially boarder states and Missouri was one of the worst. What makes the film work so well is that it is a personal depiction of the day to day realities of the war mainly through Tobey Maguire's character (Jake Roedel). He fights with the bushwhackers against the Unionists. I found somewhat touching the interesting position of a former slave named Holt played by the incredible Jeffrey Wright (one of my favorite actors. He's good.) Holt and Jake become friends and Holt fights right along with the anti-Unionists. Things really did get complicated. Well I'll by pass detailing the whole plot, but it is straightforward enough. Just check it out. Good movie. Thumbs-UP!