Unforgiven

Rating:
Summary: Probably the last great western
Review: This is one of Clint's best movies. I think it ranks right up there with the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and Dirty Harry. I loved the characters especially Hackman's. The DVD is of very good quality.

Rating:
Summary: Now THAT's a movie! Eastwood at his best,,,
Review: This is my favorite western of all time. An oscar-caliber cast, smart writing, action that makes sense and real drama all wrapped into one! Great.

At the heart, this is the story of a ruthless gunslinger with a touch of tenderness in his cold, black heart. That dichotomy, and tension, between Eastwood's good and bad sides are at war in this movie, and the end result is riveting.

The DVD by the way looks and sounds great, with few frills. This is a must-have in any collection. Buy, don't rent!

Rating:
Summary: You take away all he's got & all he's ever going to have...
Review: In a true sense, Clint Eastwood & writer David Peoples have created the first Anti-western in this tale of violence, vengeance and half-truths. Eastwood plays the anti-hero William Munny, once a vicious killer, now reformed eking out an existence for his two motherless children by pig farming. To save his children from this hapless fate he agrees to go on one last mercenary killing to avenge a prostitute whose face, eyes, ears and teets were cut up by some clients or so he's heard. But the truth of it is less than the fiction as the whore's story, like so many tales from the old west, is continually embellished. Urged on by the raging Schofield Kid, a haplessly poor-sighted lad who only dreams of the notoriety his killing might bring, Munny enlists the aid of Morgan Freeman, his old partner. Munny so rusty he can no longer aim well and so long out of the saddle he can't even stay on his horse, he heads out with the other two avenging or fallen angels to Big Whiskey to hunt down the killers for the promise of the whore's gold. Although some might consider the character insignificant, Richard Harris, as English Bob, the Duke (Duck) of Death, further illustrates the fallacy of the old west allure. Gene Hackman as the sadistic Little Bill Daggett, the sheriff of Big Whiskey, further blurs the lines between good and evil as the townspeople wince from the pain he inflicts on English Bob, Munny and finally on Ned Logan (Freeman). Frances Fisher, a lone voice crying in the wilderness, demands justice for the unfortunate girl and all women despite their station in life. Saul Rubinek as an old west biographer, is reminiscent of those mesmerized by car wrecks or burning buildings. A cub-reporter, only concerned for the most engrossing story, he hops from supposed hero to supposed hero never once looking beneath the surface of their stories. In his review, Leonard Maltin feels the movie drags in the middle, but the slow paced path the trio takes amidst the beautiful countryside, like the gentle but haunting score, only serves as the antithesis to the movie's impending violent conclusion. When I first saw this movie at the theater, I whispered to my companion 'this is going to win best picture.' It also went on to win Eastwood best director and Hackman best supporting actor. Whether you love westerns or hate them this film will satisfy you. There's no glamour in killing, but Munny (Eastwood), whether fueled by his sense of justice or just whiskey, marshals up the malicious character buried deep within him and perhaps buried deep within all of us. Finally, as this morality play draws to a close, we are asked the question why Claudia, Munny's deceased wife a woman not without prospects, ever 'loved' such a desperate character. Perhaps he, like all the characters, had it coming. Just like we all do, even if we are unforgiven.

Rating:
Summary: ENTER THE WEST
Review: "Unforgiven" is just what many harsh critics of this film ought to be. Certainly, "Unforgiven" didn't win "Best Picture" for nothing. This is the ultimate Western. Yet, in a sense it is not a Western at all... or at least not the Western we have come to know. It is dark, dusty, violent, and gloomy. It is not a film for kids, or for the weak of heart. What it is, is a film for those who appreciate plain, good cinema. Amazing!

Rating:
Summary: Far beyond any western
Review: I love westerns, but this one goes far beyond any one I have ever seen. I suppose that most of us are used to westerns where the hero represent the cowboy knight in shining stirrups who saves the day at full personal risk and without reward, and never looses his cool. This film takes this myth and brings it down to earth.

It's a story about a legendary ex-cold-blooded-murderer, who returns to his old business for one last job. What brings him back to his old line of work is simply money - no ideal or heroic act. Throughout the entire story, the viewer's perception on "who's the bad guy and who's the good guy" is constantly changing, indicating a superb screenplay performed by a superb cast & crew.

Most of the film is slow and calm, but you can feel the tension building up for the last act, where the entire story takes a 180-degree turn (don't worry - I won't tell). If you'll pay attention, you'll notice that when the change occurs (and you'll notice it - I promise you) a wind suddenly starts to blow - an age-old motif for change.

The acting and directing in this film is superb, both by Clint Eastwood (Lead and Director), and by the wonderful Gene Hachman. The film won four Academy Awards, each of them fully deserved.

This is a wonderful film for anyone who loves a dramatic, suspenseful, exciting story - even if you do not like westerns at all.

Rating:
Summary: The Alcoholic "Gun Slinger"
Review: As a member of the first television generation and, as one who has grown up under the profound psychosocial influences of movie productions, I think of "Unforgiven" as one of the very best adult "Western" films ever produced.

This film graphically displays the militant "narcissistic need and entitlement deprivation" associated with "Alcoholism, Narcissism, and Psychopathology" by Gary Forrest very well. The focus on masculinity as a "Gender Identity" problem is remarkably well illustrated.

Rating:
Summary: Subtle and dignified retelling of the Western myth
Review: In the years since seeing this movie at the theater, I have been dumbfounded by the negative responses to it when it comes up in conversation. But then I realize, much of the moviegoing populace generally wants movies that create and preserve their fantasies, not those that deconstruct myths and challenge their thinking. What amazes me in retrospect is that such a brilliant and subtle movie like this could have been such a hit at the time. Its staying power will always be as a historic retelling of the classic Western in such a way to make it impossible to see the old ones the same way again.

Rating:
Summary: One of Clint's best
Review: very well put together Clint did a great job acting and directing, makin this academy award winner. Based on the story of William Money (an older William Money) and two friends out to collect money for what two men did too a whore. Some parts are comical but soon gets serious. There are a few classic lines comin out of this movie but a classicmovie for sure.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie - awful DVD quality
Review: The Amazon *video/audio quality* review is a 4.5, but I would rate them a 2 out of 5 stars. I view on a 60" Panasonic Elite Projection TV with high end audio system . Dark scenes (which are numerous) very splotchy & grainey - very poor quality!!! Sound was not clear either. Transfer to DVD does not do this great movie justice; much lower quality than other DVDs I have.

Rating:
Summary: Great Western
Review: This is a great movie, and the payoff is one of the best i've seen. Clint is at his best here, as well as Hackman. .