Tex Meek already did an excellent review on this film over at AT THE MOVIES and he nailed it. So I won't go into story detail and what-not, but I have a few observations I would like to impart.
First of all, this is not a knock-down-drag-'em-out kinda Western. In fact this story could be set anywhere, anytime; the circumstances would just be different. That's because this is a story about people, their good, their bad, their weaknesses and their strengths. And like Eastwood's UNFORGIVEN, the pace is deliberately slow to allow the viewer the opportunity to soak up atmosphere and emotion as we get to learn what makes these characters tick.
The cinematography took my breath away at times. And the sound won't rock your system, but it will be very realistic right from the sounds of the wild, the thunder and rain, and during the gunbattle. And though the gunfight seemed confusing at times, I'm sure that this is exactly how gunfights really were in the 1800s. During the gunbattle, the sounds of the handguns, rifles and shotguns are distinctly different in not only their sound, but in the effect they have when someone is hit. Music was only used at the very end of the battle, and this I felt added tremendously to the realism of it all.
Costner takes a lot of heat from critics and the viewing population in general. I guess you either love him or hate him. I happen to be one who loves his work. I feel he is a much better actor than he is given credit for. But in the case of OPEN RANGE, the top stars go to Robert Duvall as Boss. Still, Cosner's take on Charlie, a man to whom killing comes easy, though is is both haunted and ashamed of his past, was excellent in my view. And Annette Benning is perfect as the woman who has lived a loveless life for too many years. All of these main characters are aging and changing, and it is all brought off extremely well and in a believable manner.
I loved this film and will watch it often. They don't make many Westerns anymore, but thanks to Eastwood and Costner, the Western is alive and kicking. And the good news is, apparently Costner is thinking of doing another one. I for one can't wait.
:5:
BTW: This film was released here on Tuesday January 20th on dvd. Walmart had two full rows of Open Range on display. By Saturday there was only 1 copy left and I grabbed it. If Walmart sold out in a small community like this, I can well imagine how well sales are going all over North America.
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First of all, this is not a knock-down-drag-'em-out kinda Western. In fact this story could be set anywhere, anytime; the circumstances would just be different. That's because this is a story about people, their good, their bad, their weaknesses and their strengths. And like Eastwood's UNFORGIVEN, the pace is deliberately slow to allow the viewer the opportunity to soak up atmosphere and emotion as we get to learn what makes these characters tick.
The cinematography took my breath away at times. And the sound won't rock your system, but it will be very realistic right from the sounds of the wild, the thunder and rain, and during the gunbattle. And though the gunfight seemed confusing at times, I'm sure that this is exactly how gunfights really were in the 1800s. During the gunbattle, the sounds of the handguns, rifles and shotguns are distinctly different in not only their sound, but in the effect they have when someone is hit. Music was only used at the very end of the battle, and this I felt added tremendously to the realism of it all.
Costner takes a lot of heat from critics and the viewing population in general. I guess you either love him or hate him. I happen to be one who loves his work. I feel he is a much better actor than he is given credit for. But in the case of OPEN RANGE, the top stars go to Robert Duvall as Boss. Still, Cosner's take on Charlie, a man to whom killing comes easy, though is is both haunted and ashamed of his past, was excellent in my view. And Annette Benning is perfect as the woman who has lived a loveless life for too many years. All of these main characters are aging and changing, and it is all brought off extremely well and in a believable manner.
I loved this film and will watch it often. They don't make many Westerns anymore, but thanks to Eastwood and Costner, the Western is alive and kicking. And the good news is, apparently Costner is thinking of doing another one. I for one can't wait.
:5:
BTW: This film was released here on Tuesday January 20th on dvd. Walmart had two full rows of Open Range on display. By Saturday there was only 1 copy left and I grabbed it. If Walmart sold out in a small community like this, I can well imagine how well sales are going all over North America.
My Homepage!
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