Rating: 
Summary: "Ol' Boss Can Sure Cowboy..."
Review: Those who have a true appreciation for Westerns are more likely to enjoy Open Range, but such appreciation is not necessarily essential to the enjoyment of Open Range. Nevertheless, this movie is probably not for everyone, as it might seem lame or dull to thrill-seekers. It seems to me that many of today's movie audiences have grown accustomed to fast-moving plots and will not be able to handle the meticulous way that the characters are focused on. The story moves along at a slow, deliberate pace and much of this movie is driven by character development. Short attention spans notwithstanding, those who enjoy a hearty, story-driven Western should enjoy the film. Even if you're not a big fan of the genre, you may be won over by Open Range if you're someone who doesn't need instant gratification when watching movies.From a storytelling standpoint, Open Range is much like the classic Westerns of yesteryear; the difference between this movie and the classic American Western is that Open Range delivers a fresh approach to an old genre. The acting is at times so intense and strong, it gives the characters an amazingly convincing and realistic feel. Each actor seemed to become their character, making it their own; and as is the case with all good acting, I often forgot that I was watching actors performing fictional characters. It looked and felt authentic. Open Range is full of honesty from top to bottom and represents old values such as loyalty, honor, and respect--the Cowboy Way. The dialog is representative of a straight-forward, pull-no-punches lifestyle of a cowboy in the late 1800s. Long-winded conversations are unnecessary, thus few words are needed between these men. Their friendship is strong and steady; there are no insecurities, hidden agendas, or jealousy. Things unspoken are just simply understood and there is no need to spell things out; and unlike today's "metrosexuals," these men see no need to give elaborate explanations of how they feel or why they feel that way. You say what's on your mind and you get to the point. They just get it. You can expect no bellyaching or melodramatics here. Rest assured, the strong, silent type is well represented here with sincerity and dignity in both Costner's and Duval's characters. Duvall plays "Boss" Spearman, an old cowboy who herds his cattle from one open range to another until they are ready for market. Charley Wait, who is played by Costner, is Boss's partner of ten years. Then there's Boss's two workin' hands, Mose and Button. Mose is big burly looking man of imposing stature, but he's an affable fellow nevertheless, a gentle giant of sorts. Button is a young, eager but immature Mexican fellow that Boss and Charley helped get on his feet by giving him a job. Both Charley and Boss seem to have a sense of responsibility for Button, and they behave as father-figures to the young man, teaching him English and trying to instill a stronger sense of right and wrong in him. Along the way, the four of them encounter some trouble in a very hostile Irish rancher, Denton Baxter. Baxter detests "free-grazers" and sees them as freeloaders who use up valuable grazing lands and force him to struggle to maintain his own cattle properly. When they approach within a few miles of a local town, Mose is sent to town on an errand. This is when the trouble starts and Open Range begins to pick up the pace a bit. In the interest of not revealing too much, that's all I'll divulge about the story. Filmed in Alberta, Canada, the location for Open Range is a glorious thing of beauty. With mountains perpetually in the background and rolling hills of endless green filling the open range, you get a real sense of what it must have been like to freely roam the countryside of America back then. To add to an already ideal shooting location, Costner insisted that an old-style replica town be built specifically for the movie; and it pays off. The town in and of itself completes the final piece of the puzzle in its genuineness and it truly solidifies once-and-for-all the authentic look of the movie. Westerns have always depicted the most classic American virtues of honor, justice, self-reliance, honesty, pragmatism, valor and an indomitable love of freedom. All of these are carefully integrated into Open Range, and the result is the best Hollywood Western that has been released in many years.
Rating:
Summary: ROBERT DUVALL. END OF STATEMENT!
Review: In an interview with Kevin Costner on the DVD Costner refers to Bob Duvall as "an American Treasure." Pretty much says it all about OPEN RANGE. If Duvall were a one-man show for this one it would be worth buying and watching again and again and again. Resurrecting the magic he created as Gus in LONESOME DOVE, Duvall is sensational as Boss Spearman, a straight talking, straight shooting, no nonsense cowman who wants his freedom and an open range to roam in. Costner does well as Spearman's partner, Charley Waite, a man who is hiding from a sordid past and wants nothing more than to be left alone. Annette Bening effortlessly steps into the role of Kate Barlow, a tough frontier "nurse" who finds that Charley has a heart and determines to make it hers. When a ruthless rancher kills a friend, wounds another and threatens to take their herd Waite and Spearman are forced to take action. OPEN RANGE is splendidly shot and directed, a beautiful move to watch, and includes one of the most raucous, well-staged gunfights to ever grace a western screen. THE HORSEMAN
Rating: 
Summary: Open Range
Review: Open Range takes you back to the good old days of the American western. Men working hard, fighting against hostile environment, greed.
Open Range has alot going for it - Robert Duvall, Annette Benning and a cast of supporting actors who help Costner make the movie work despite the apparent Hollywood BS to get the film made.
This movie is realistically made, if an actor gets hit by buckshot from a shot gun - the result is devastating. So I wouldn't recommend it for even teenagers.
There is alot of plot similarities to an earlier western that many viewers may not be familiar with - The Jack Bull starring John Cusack. Both Cusack and Costner must take the law into their own hands when it is apparent that "justice" is in the hands of the rich, greedy landowners.
I was entertained by Open Range. It is NOT as strong of a movie as Dances With Wolves but considering the differences in budgets of the two movies (Open Range was made on 5 million dollars) Costner and his fellow actors all gave performances that they should ALL be proud of.
John Row
Rating:
Summary: A classic western
Review: I don't understand why this film received little attention. It's a classic western with very believable characters, dialogue, and filmed and edited by someone who really cared. I felt I had been placed back into the 1880's west in a real, not Hollywood, environment. The final gundown scene is the most realistic every filmed for a western. I anticipate this film will become a classic film as time passes. Powerful, realistic, believable, and entertaining, which is rarity in todays film selections.
Rating:
Summary: Duvall and Costner were Great
Review: This is one convincing movie. It is a tale of two very close friends one Waite (Costner) has been working for Spearman (Duvall). The movie shows respect for your boss and the kind of trust needed when you are working closely together. Duvall, a tough cowboy, also has a heart for his men and for his past. Duvall shows his relentlessness to stand up for what is his. He has no choice, all will be taken away from him, so he stands for his own. Costner plays a tough cowboy with a past that comes back to help him and even haunt him at times. It is a Western in the sense of the older westerns, beautiful scenery, Alberta, Canada. The movie has the intensity of The Seekers. It seems that the old western is back. This movie does get violent and may not be for everyone, yet the gunfight scene is every bit as intense as a Clint Eastwood gunfight, yet it seems much more realistic, like the Gunfight at the OK Corral. Costner plays a much more serious and focused role. Waite is intense in everything he does. These are two serious men with a very serious life and a very difficult job to do. The movie is worth the watch, yet, some who dislike violence in movies may not like the gunfight, yet it is tolerable for the most part. Open Range is a keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Horrible for Words
Review: Words cannot describe how bad this movie is. Harlequin romance novels have better dialogue, plot, and character development. The only way to watch this movie is on "MUTE". The scenery is beautiful. The costumes look great.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Westerns Ever
Review: Kevin Costner understands westerns. The camera work, the script, the direction, and the acting are all first rate. Robert Duvall is, of course superb (although occasionally he's rerunning Gus McRae), Costner is excellent, and the people who think Annette Benning was too old for this role are probably teenagers. There's not a weak point in the film. I was amused to read some reviewers commenting that the bodies flying as they did in response to gunshot wounds was unrealistic; they must not know anything about guns, and they certainly don't know anything about shotguns. This is the only realistic gun battle ever done for a western, and yes, I'm including "Unforgiven." Read a little history, and you'll appreciate this movie even more. The love story could have been left out, as some reviewers have commented, and it would still be a good film, but I thought it added a happy touch to something that would have been too testosterone laden otherwise. Worth buying at full price.
Rating:
Summary: A "TRUE" WESTERN EPIC!
Review: "Open Range" proves that there is still an audience to be found for the western. The film is a beautifully-shot, character driven film that puts less emphasis on visual effects and loads of action and focuses on a great story: that of two men forced to defend their property and their lives in a small western town! Robert Duvall is one of America's greatest actors, and proves it again in this film. Costner is highly underrated as an actor, and his performance here is of his finest. Annette Benning gives a great performance as well. The gunfight at the end of the film is one of the grittiest and most exciting sequences ever filmed! If you're ready to experience a "true" western epic, then saddle up for "Open Range!" Grade: A+
Rating:
Summary: You have got to be kidding me
Review: Everything about this movie was horrible. The plot, the action, the acting and the pace. I waited an agonizing 2 hrs to figure out if this was a love story, a drama or a western. I finally decided it was just a bad movie. To call Kevin Costner an actor is a huge compliment. His character never changes no matter what the roll. The days of "No Way Out" & "The Untouchables" are a distant memory. He managed to even make Duvall look bad. Annette Bennings performance was laughable. The scene when Coster & Benning decide they are in love, is the funniest scene in the movie. They must of splashed water on Costner to give him that freshly cried look. I was actually embarrassed for them. I did get a laugh when people were shot, they flew back thorough the air 15 feet. Even spaghetti Westerns weren't that ridiculous. This movie was a combination of "Tombstone" & "The Unforgiven". The only difference is, those movies were good. This movie offers nothing original and its in-line w/ the rest of the Costner dribble. This is an incredibly bad movie. Rent it and find out for yourself. I have a suggestion for those who thought this was a good movie. Try watching it sober. I did & that was a big mistake.
Rating:
Summary: Best Cowboy Movie Since John Wayne!!!
Review: This movie made a real fan of Robert Duvall of me!!! His performance in this was akin to some of the great performances by John Wayne in his Western Film Roles! Cosnter was as good as Gold in this movie as well, and I perosnally believe that this one will rejuvenate his film career! Excellent screenplay, excellent cast (Annette Benning was awesome, as was the two hired hands that went lonmg with Boss and Charley), excellent scenery, and the Bad guys were REALLY bad (not to mean that their acting was terrfible! Their portrayals were gooooooooood!!!) This movie - in my opinion - deserved an academy nod...
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