The Proposition
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Movie Reviews of The Proposition
Movie Review: A Brave Social Critique
Summary: 5 Stars
The Proposition, written by songwriter, Nick Cave, uses the conventions of the Western genre to wrestle with ideas of good and evil (somewhat standard in the recent strain of revisionist Westerns) but more interestingly, uses the form to also indict the colonialist mission in Australia. The story is set in motion when a lawman bent on capturing three outlaw brothers makes a deal with the middle of the three - bring back the oldest one or the youngest, who he has in custody, will hang. The lawman, played by Ray Winstone, echoes the film's tagline, when he proclaims emphatically "this land will be civilized." Yet the remainder of the film makes it abundantly clear that what the European settlers have brought to the country is a far cry from civilization.
The contrast between the worlds of the colonialists and the colonized is effectively evoked in a scene where Ray Winstone's character tells his Aboriginal servant to be on his way as he settles on his porch, rifle in hand, waiting for the inevitably brutal attack from the outlaws that will follow. He wishes the Aboriginal man, "Merry Christmas," at which point the latter removes his shoes and socks at the gate of the yard, returns the good wishes with a hint of irony in his voice and walks away barefoot. The camera lingers on the shoes briefly, letting us know that we are meant to see something beyond the surface in this moment. One interpretation is that the shoes are a connection to "civilization" but in this case, a civilization that doesn't fit into the world it has been introduced to. Later another Aboriginal man, who is serving as a tracker for a group of lawmen, calls attention to the barbarism of the Europeans when he comments to one of the lawmen, "strange mob, you whities," as they observe the remaining members of the troop standing around a tree, trying to urinate on each other. Like Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man, which also uses the Western genre to critique the treatment of indigenous people, The Proposition gives a voice to the oppressed and does it in a way that's not merely politically correct.
The Proposition is an incredibly violent yet somehow subtle film. Themes are suggested but (excuse the pun) nothing is black and white. Over 100 minutes the moral struggles of its complex characters are explored and time feels like it has passed too quickly. The film's violence feels essential to the narrative for lending verisimilitude but also for adding urgency to the stakes involved for its characters. Not a scene is wasted. The images are lyrical, the visual style, brisk and the cinematography, breathtaking. The casting and performances are all perfect, with Danny Huston and John Hurt being particularly outstanding.
This is a brilliant film that's been unjustly ignored, but not surprisingly so, considering its underlying critical stance. Rent, buy or borrow it, but make sure you see it.
The DVD extras (interviews with the cast, director and screenwriter) are also excellent, providing valuable insight into the background and themes of the film.
Movie Review: There's Still Value In "The Western"
Summary: 5 Stars
Historically, and from a character perspective, there's still mining to be done in western films, and THE PROPOSITION gives us a great sense of both. Aussie director John Hillcoat delves into Australia in the 1880s, telling about the bloody lawlessness and aboriginal prejudices.
The story centers around the outlaw Burns brothers, Charlie (Guy Pearce, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL), Mike (DECK DOGZ) and Arthur (Danny Huston, THE CONSTANT GARDNER). When Charlie and Mike are caught by local lawman Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone, COLD MOUNTAIN), Charlie is pulled aside and given a distasteful proposition: kill your brother Arthur and Mike will live. Charlie loves Mike dearly and hardly knows his other brother, Arthur. He grudgingly accepts the terms but it quickly becomes clear that he's unsure what to do. Is the killing of one family member in order to save another morally apprehensible? What if your moral boundaries are skewed?
Charlie rides off to find his brother in the searing Australian Outback.
Meanwhile, back in town, Captain Stanley is having great difficulty controlling its citizens once they learn one of the dreaded Burns brothers is in the local jail. A powerful bureaucrat named Eden Fletcher (David Wenham, THE LORD OF THE RINGS) demands swift justice. He orders that Mike Burns be lashed 100 times. Knowing that Mike probably won't survive this, but also battling feelings his lovely wife Martha (Emily Watson, GOSFORD PARK) has about the crimes Mike has committed, Captain Stanley is forced to give in to the township's demands.
Back in the Outback, Charlie finally runs into his twisted brother and comes face-to-face with his worst fears: killing someone of his own flesh and blood. Can he do it? Should he do it?
The word "epic" has been on the lips of many reviewers, but epic may be too big a term for this flick. It is enjoyable, and has sweeping views and great acting (even John Hurt makes a soulful appearance as a perverse bounty hunter), but it doesn't approach films such as LAWRENCE OF ARABIA or DOCTOR ZHIVAGO in scope. And that's okay. There are many films out there that are still very enjoyable but don't meet the epic criteria.
That the western film has been done for nearly a century might make one think that it's dying out as a genre. But no. THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUAIDES ESTRADA and UNFORGIVEN are two of the more recent favorites that prove there's still life out there for the western. And The Proposition is another excellent example that it's still got cinematic value.
Movie Review: A gritty return to the far west
Summary: 5 Stars
Words come to mind we we think of movies. When someone asks, "How'd you like it," or "What'd ya think about it?" we immediately formulate a quick response, then fire it at them. Usually, "It was Good" "It was Great" "Loved it!" "Want my friggin money back!" and other such exclamations, you fill in the blank. But when I think of The Proposition, a movie I watched a few days ago, and am still haunted by it, I cant think of just one brief summation; but if I did I would have to say, The Proposition is incredible.
How refreshing it is to see a NEW western. Growing up I would sit with my dad and watch the Duke, Eastwood, Ward Bond, Stewart, etcetera etcetera, and loved them. John Ford had massive Landscapes, Anthony Mann had his 73, Cooper was the only one in town brave enough to give a dang, and Dean Martin proved he wasn't just "the straight man" (Katie Elder). Probably the most obvious reason that westerns succeeded so long in the middle to early years of Hollywood was the clear-cut sense of Good and Bad... ok and Ugly. I always hoped that another would resurface, since the only good ones in recent years were Tombstone, Open Range and Unforgiven - and the mediocre Wyatt Earp and The Quick and the Dead. Others have come and gone, some really good, but amazingly... and prepare yourself... The Proposition has a punch that pales most all movies in general. This truly is an amazing work.
The proposition is this, a man and his little brother are captured. He is told by the captain who captured them that if he can kill their murdering/rapist older brother, he will release them. Sounds like a simple story huh? Believe me, there are moments that you don't know how to feel. Villains turn out to be heroes, and heroes debate which side they want to be on. Sometimes, I intentionally don't go into grave detail about the plot, nor the characters, nor the actors that play them (Hint LOTR), because on occasion that's as much part of the surprise of the viewing experience. But bear in mind, The Proposition is violent. I have never mentioned violence before, if that tells you anything. But, none of it is untrue to the rough nature of the story.
I also would like to mention, Kudos to the brilliant, unusual soundtrack. (Click my name to read review) It sets an eerie tone and complements the hellish visuals.
I could literally go on and on, but just know I give this movie the s~a~o~s mark of approval, and I think that this movie will be haunting me for a while to come.
Movie Review: A sober film about the morality of depravity
Summary: 5 Stars
The plot description makes "The Proposition" look like a putrid exploitation flick: a criminal is given the chance of a pardon for himself and his younger brother -- who's to be executed on Christmas Day for rape -- if the man kills his older brother, a psychotic serial killer.
It's nothing of the sort. Though there are scenes of brutal, grisly killings (which are brief, and not lingered over), it plays out as a nuanced drama about compassion, justice, guilt, and responsibility, in an environment where these things are in short supply.
I disagree with the reviewer who rejected the film on the basis of its "pointless depravity". "The Proposition" is not about depravity, but what people consider depraved behavior, and how they react to it. This is the sort of R-rated film parents should invite their children to watch, so they can discuss the story's moral issues.
The performances are uniformly outstanding. John Hurt gets the "scenery chewing" role as a crazed bounty hunter, and delivers magnificently. Unlike Jack Nicholson's performance in "The Departed", Hurt's doesn't seem out of place with the quieter performances of the other actors. I find it remarkable that directors (Ang Lee, Martin Scorsese) continue to elicit ever-more-subtle performances from actors, without becoming "arty" or vapid.
I'd never heard of John Hillcoat, but his direction puts him in the top rank of directors. I find it remarkable that, though sound films have been around for 80 years, the quality of acting and direction continues to improve. A motion picture is a Gesamtkunstwerk that can be "anything"; Hillcoat and Cave show that films have yet to reach their artistic limit.
It's difficult to overpraise Nick Cave's simple-but-focused screenplay, which makes its points without making us aware it's making them, and his musical score.
This is a magnificent motion picture. Don't let the violence keep you from seeing it.
Comments on the BD: I recently bought the Blu-ray edition. In the running commentary (created for the DVD), the director complains that the sunsets look exaggerated on DVD, tha the film was shot to look right in a theater. I don't know whether the BD comes closer to the theatrical experience, but it's great to see this film on a large high-resolution screen. My opinion hasn't changed. This is a terrific film, very much worth seeing. I liked it even better the second time around.
Movie Review: "What fresh hell is this?"
Summary: 5 Stars
`The Proposition' was such a nice surprise I'm still reeling off of the experience. I am not a fan of the western in general. I've seen a few that I've enjoyed but for the most part they don't even begin to interest me. To be completely honest I didn't have the highest of hopes for this film either, and the only reason I picked it up was the fact that Ray Winstone's performance was so highly lauded. I took a chance, and for once I can honestly say it paid off. The film starts off with a bang, gun shots being fired in every direction, people dying left and right and then in walks Winstone. From the outset it appears that Winstone's character (Captain Morris Stanley) is the villain, for when he sits across from Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce) and his younger brother Mike (Richard Wilson) Ray has so much anger and bitterness etched across his face he just reeks of evil.
But...that is not the case. Charlie and his brother Mike are part of the Burns gang, their older brother Arthur (the brilliant Danny Huston) being the most gruesome and detestable brother, and they are wanted for the rape and murder of a young woman. Captain Stanley makes a deal with Charlie. If Charlie will hunt down and kill his own brother then the charges against him and his younger brother will be dropped. Stanley proceeds to hold Mike captive as leverage and sends Charlie on his man hunt.
In the meantime the town grows restless and intolerable with Captain Stanley who they feel is being unrealistic. They are upset that he has let Charlie go free and are insistent that they execute Mike so that this woman's murder may be avenged. Even the Captain's own wife Martha (Emily Watson) is demanding blood, as is the town's first citizen Eden Fletcher (David Wenham) and the pressure is weighing heavy on Stanley. The praise that Ray Winstone has received do to this performance is extremely justifiable and in my opinion he deserves an Oscar nod this year (the beginning of this year has just been full of brilliant performances it's a shame most of not all may be forgotten come December). Another standout here is Danny Huston who just further proves that he is an actor on the verge of greatness. This is one of the most involving and engrossing westerns I've ever seen (thanks in large part to John Hillcoat's brilliant direction) and has opened my eyes to a form of cinema I've avoided for so long.