Open Range

Rating:
Summary: Robert Duvall plays another epic old cowpoke
Review: While I was watching "Open Range" I was thinking back on the epic westerns of John Ford, shot in Monument Valley, Utah, where the rugged beauty of the scenery gave a sense of grandeur to the spectacle of John Wayne riding a horse. As a director of Westerns Kevin Costner certainly proved he had an eye for visual spectacle in "Dances With Wolves" (the buffalo hunt is the obvious example, but there are others). However, in "Open Range," the monumental spectacle is clearly Robert Duvall, who plays Boss Spearman. The quintessential cowboy, Spearman is moving a herd of free-range cattle. For the better part of ten years ("they call it a decade" Boss points out), Charley Waite (Costner) has been riding with him. Rounding out the company are Mose (Abraham Benrubi), a gentle giant, and Button (Diego Luna), a young boy that they are trying to turn into a man.

Westerns are often about a clash between the past and the future, and in "Open Range" it is Spearman and grazing cattle on the free range that comes into conflict with men like Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon) with his giant spread. When Mose is sent into town and does not return, Boss and Charley set off in search of him and find him badly beaten up in the jail of the local sheriff (James Russo), who is in Baxter's pocket. Baxter lays down the law of the land (his land, his law), while riles Boss, who does not like anybody telling him how to live his life. Knowing what is coming from the hooded figures that are watching a few hills over, Boss tries to head off trouble, but with horrible success. Now Boss wants justice and Charley wants vengeance.

"Open Range" is really about the relationship between these two men, who are no longer boss and employee, but two men who share a common set of standards that dictate what you are supposed to do in the series of escalating situations in which they find themselves as this film plays out. Charley takes a liking to Sue Barlow (Annette Bening), the sister of the town's doctor, and while their awkward courtship has its tender moments it is secondary to what exists between Charley and Boss. In another film the romance between Sue and Charley could have sustained an entire film; here it is only a substantial subplot.

This is very much Duvall's film until the shooting, which consists of what are probably the loudest gunshots in the history of Westerns, starts. Duvall's most memorable performance was as Gus McRae in "Lonesome Dove," but his Boss Spearman compares favorably to that epic role. The biggest thing they have in common is their embodiment of the values by which they have lived their lives and dictate their actions. Boss and Charley both do what a man has to do, not because of some macho notion of manhood, but because they have a frontier philosophy that clearly establishes what is right and what is wrong.

However, there are key differences between Boss and Charley that this gunfight brings out into the open. Charley has been trying to bury his past and to be more like Boss, but the task at hand involves killing and it turns out Charley knows a whole lot more about that line of work than he has let on. This is not to say that Charley is a great shot, but that he is going to shoot first and keep his head once the shooting starts (this is a Western where most of the shots fired do not hit anybody). This film is more about character than gun fighting, which may well be why it puts off the gunfight as long as possible.

Ultimately, "Open Range" is a notch below being a great western, but in terms of contemporary cinema that makes it pretty good. The film does not suffer that much in comparison to "Unforgiven," "Dances With Wolves," or "Lonesome Dove," and it comes off a lot better than any other westerns of recent vintage you would care to name. For that matter, Costner's performance stands up well against Duvall's, and you get the sense that as an actor Costner is moving on to the next level, with his co-star showing him how it is done.

Rating:
Summary: It reminded me why i like movies so much. A must see!
Review: OPEN RANGE is the first true Western that Hollywood has released in several years. Sure, AMERICAN OUTLAWS was about the outlaw Jesse James but it was more of a comedy that wanted to be YOUNG GUNS wasn't it? The last time a true western was released was TOMBSTONE and UNFORGIVEN before that.

I have never been a big Kevin Costner fan. I've liked a few of his movies but all in all, I've never been intrigued by the man. He changed that with OPEN RANGE. I liked the role Costner took on in this film as well as the chemistry he and Robert DuVall, who is also great in the film, share.

With OPEN RANGE, director Kevin Costner reminded me what movies can be like. As I watched this film I found myself remembering why I started liking movies so much in the first place. It's because of movies like this. OPEN RANGE is a great movie on a grand scale. It has a good story to tell and by the end it pays it all off with the best gunfight ever seen in a movie of this genre. It may drag on a tad bit to long after the gunfight but OPEN RANGE still remains a definite must see.

B+

Rating:
Summary: NOT a cheap imitation of Unforgiven
Review: Kevin Costner did a good job.

Rating:
Summary: A throwback to westerns of old
Review: Open Range is an excellent western epic that is a throwback to westerns made in the 60's and 70's with a straightforward story and even better characters. The movie is about a range war between a rancher and the free grazers he wants out of the county so fast. Boss Spearman and Charlie Waite are two cowboys driving a small herd of cattle with two hired men, Button and Mose, when they run into trouble with a local rancher who hates these free grazers more than anything. Everything in the movie builds up to the final showdown between Spearman and Charlie against the rancher and his henchmen. This is a beautifully told story filmed in Alberta that shows how vast the West really is. There are great characters, both good and bad, crisp dialogue, and the showdown at the end is one of the best I have ever seen. The violence is startling, but not graphic. Open Range draws on many westerns of the past, but it stands on its own as a fantastic movie.

Robert Duvall gets top billing as Boss Spearman, the cowboy who tries to do what is right at all costs. I think Duvall is the quintessential cowboy in this era. His role is perfect, much like in Lonesome Dove, and could not have been done better by anyone else. Kevin Costner is also very good as Charlie Waite, the cowboy with demons inside of him that he must answer for. Duvall and Costner work very well together throughout. Their conversations throughout all their troubles are some of the highpoints of the movie. Annette Benning gives a good performance as Sue Barlow, a woman in town who quickly befriends the two cowboys when no one else will. Denton Baxter, the evil rancher, is played by Michael Gambon and is very good if a little underused. Sheriff Poole is played by James Russo while Button and Mose are played by Diego Luna and Abraham Benrubi. Michael Jeter provides comic relief as Percy, the stableman who joins with Spearman and Waite. Fans of westerns will love this movie for what it is. Open Range is an exciting, well-told story with fully developed characters and a great showdown at the end. Do not miss Open Range!

Rating:
Summary: Sweet Gem of a Western!
Review: With all the [stuff] put out in recent years, I almost thought Hollywood forgot how to make a movie this good.

The story will not be unfamiliar to anyone who's seen 'Unforgiven', although the tone is considerably more upbeat. Some people get hurt, their friends go to set things right, and there is a big shootout with the bad guys at the end.

Unlike many recent movies, 'Open Range' devotes unhurried time to nearly obsolete concepts like plot and character development. The action sequences are realistic, and the use of vulgarity is neither excessive nor misplaced. Even the occassional touches of humor seem just right, and the romantic angle is believable. They don't draw you in with special effects, they just tell their story in a deliciously paced way.

I've just returned from the theatre, and for the first time in a long time feel my [money] was well spent. This consumer will be anxiously awaiting the DVD release with money in hand. Dare I dream about a sequel?

If recent movie outings have made you shake your head in disbelief, leave the theatre in disgust or wonder about the future of Western Civilization, give this one a try. It's one the whole family can enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Well Done Kevin..!!!!
Review: Some of Kevin Costner's movies - Field of Dreams, Wyatt Earp and especially Dances With Wolves - are amongst my very favorite movies.

Coversely, movies like The Postman, Waterworld and especially 3,000 Miles To Graceland- are, in my opinion, terrible films and very deserving of the universal drubbing they received from the viewing public and film critics.

However, with Open Range, Costner has once again recaptured the "magic" that has proved so elusive since his earlier efforts.

Open Range is a beautifully filmed and very authentic western whose story centres on a classic western theme - the small cowboy versus the powerful greedy rancher. However, Costner, who also directs, allows the story to build very slowly. The first 15 to 20 minutes of the film, for example, deals with very little other than panoramic scenes of the Alberta "open range", discussions about feet and meeting this unusual foursome that is driving cattle across an expanse of "open range".

However, once it becomes apparent that the local cattle baron - a ruthless Irishman named Baxter - is not going to allow them to drive their cattle across his land unimpeded, the story quickly starts to take form.

After their travelling companions are attacked by Baxter's men -Moses, the gentle giant is killed and Button, the 16-year old is shot, clubbed and left for dead, Costner and Duval decide that they aren't going to allow themsleves to be pushed around by a greedy rancher and the marshall, who is clearly in the rancher's back pocket.

Duval is great as Boss Spearman. In many ways, his character is reminiscent of Gus McRae of Lonesome Dove. Spearman is a throwback to an era when honour and integrity were as important to a cowboy as his ability to ride a horse and rope a steer. He's a delightful character and it's always a pleasure to see a real pro like Duval breathe life into every character he takes on.

Costner's Charley Waite reminded me alot of Eastwood's character in Unforgiven. Initially, we think that Costner, who has been Spearman's friend for 10 years, is nothing more than a cow puncher. However, as the conflict develops, we discover that Costner is hiding a much darker past.

While the romance between Costner and Benning ("Sue") seemed "forced" at times, Benning was wonderful as the sister of the the town's doctor who meets with both Costner and Duval each time she and her brother have to heal their friends' wounds. There was a tenderness about her that appealed to the dark, brooding side of Costner and you hoped that these two would eventually connect by the end of the film.

While there was so much about this film that I enjoyed, perhaps no other element of the movie was as excititng as the climatic gun fight between Spearman and Waite and Baxter's men. The scenes were incredibly violent and very well choreographed. Although the movie up to then portrayed both Costner and Duval as decent and honorable men, the gunfight clearly showed that despite their decency, they were also western men who knew how to deal with violence and could certainly dish out justice with their Colt "peacemakers".

I love westerns and am always grateful for A Dances With Wolves or an Unforgiven or All The Pretty Horses.

Costner has given us a beautiful movie that contains romance, beautifully developed characters, panoramic photography and great action. This movie contains elements of Shane, Unforgiven, High Noon and so many other great westerns that we've seen over the years.

I don't think that Open Range will spawn a return of a genre that for all intents and purposes is now dead. However, it would be great to see one or two great westerns released each year.

If you're a big fan of a great story with great characters - I would not hesitate to recommend this film.

It's great..!!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Film with plenty of Oscar Chances
Review: Not an action-packed edge of your seat thrill ride, but a generously heart-filled story about the importance of friendship, honor, trust vs. betrayl, justice vs. vengeance, and loyalty. Following his 1990 Oscar-winning epic "Dances With Wolves" director/star Kevin Costner forms this powerful story of two freeegrazers who just happened to pick the wrong town to graze outside of. The rest comes with the film ;)
Oscar Winners Duvall (Tender Mercies) and Costner (Dances With Wolves) deliver powerful performances and Boss and Charlie. Screen Sensation Michael Gambon (Sleepy Hollow, Gosford Park) gives dark and true Gene Hackman-esque (Unforgiven) performance as the cold-hearted Sheriff of the town the cowboys have stumbled upon. Oscar Nominee Annette Bening (American Beauty) tops off the phenomenal cast as the assistant to the doctor of the town who nurses Costenr and his kin back to health both physically and mentally.
This film, a bit slow to star, is truely deep, powerful and due to the honorable traits that it portrays and sensational filming, sound, and directing could easily see numerous 2003 Oscar Nominations. Not sure about any acting awards, perhaps a Golden Globe for Duvall and possibly Gambon.
The score, penned by musical maestro Michael Kamen (Robin Hood, Mr. Holland's Opus, Metallica's S&M) is gripping, full blown powerful and may see some awards nodded its way as well.

Rating:
Summary: Kevin Costner's Tribute to the Cowboy...
Review: OPEN RANGE is, perhaps, the finest western since UNFORGIVEN, with a sense of admiration and respect towards the Cowboy that Eastwood's film never achieved. While the premise of the film is simple (Western 'justice', after cowboys are ravaged by a cattleman who 'owns' a small town), the characters are so warm and human that you 'care' for them...an effect that has been lacking in the westerns of the last few years!

Set against some of the most breathtaking vistas ever recorded on film, crusty Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall, who steals the film), and laconic Charley Waite (Kevin Costner, also fabulous), are long-time friends who are taking a small herd of cattle cross-country to market. With only a big, affable cowpoke, Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and a young Mexican kid, Button (Diego Luna) in their crew, the four (with Waite's dog, Tig), are forced to sit out a massive summer storm, playing cards and sharing a camaraderie that feels totally real and natural. At storm's end, Spearman sends Mose to a nearby town to pick up supplies. After several days pass, and Mose doesn't return, Spearman and Waite leave Button to watch the camp, and ride to town to find their missing friend. They discover that the town is run by a ruthless, bullying cattle baron, Denton Baxter (Irish actor Michael Gambon, who has replaced the late Richard Harris in the HARRY POTTER series), who informs them that Mose is in jail, and orders them to get him, and get off his range, pronto! Mose has been beaten, mercilessly, so the pair take him to the town doctor (Dean McDermott), who treats the man for free, as the giant had given a good accounting of himself in a fight with three of Baxter's goons. The doctor's sister, Sue (Annette Bening, showing all of her years, but radiantly beautiful) and Waite feel an immediate, mutual attraction, but he mistakenly thinks her to be the Doc's wife, and holds his piece. Taking the bandaged Mose with them, the cowboys return to camp.

While away, Button sees a group of riders, in white hoods, hovering around the herd. Knowing that they work for Baxter, Spearman and Waite jump them, after dark, beating them as revenge for Mose...then return to camp to discover another group of Baxter's men have attacked, killing Mose and the dog, and leaving young Button for dead. Taking the boy to the doctor, they discover he had left to treat Baxter's men, and Sue takes on the task of saving the boy's life.

Justice must be served, but Baxter 'owns' the sheriff, so it falls on Spearman and Waite to end the cattleman's reign of terror...and it is revealed that Waite has a past history as a gunman...

This film is rich with detail, and has an extraordinary supporting cast, particularly Michael Jeter (who died shortly after filming) as a sympathetic stable owner. While the film is leisurely paced, it never drags, and the conversations between Spearman and Waite, about everything from getting old to the advantages of settling down, are a complete joy. Add to this a riveting climactic shootout, and you have a Western that is a truly satisfying experience!

Kudos to director/star Costner, for his respect of the Western genre, and for making the best film (thus far) of 2003!

Rating:
Summary: Costner is back and better than ever...at least as an actor.
Review: I'm not a huge fan of Kevin Costner. But it just so happens, that the guy seems to pick really good movies to be in, so I tend to see most of the films he's in. Sometimes, I even really like him in the role. But never before, have I liked Kevin Costner as much as I like him in this film. People may argue whether this is his best performance. I'm only stating that this is his most charismatic.

When Dances With Wolves came out so many years before, I thought maybe Costner had found his nitch; as a director. In that film, it was clear that he succeeded more in that role then as an actor. Open Range is different. The directing isn't as good as Costner's performance. Actually, unlike Dances With Wolves, the directing is one of the weaker parts of it. However, the story is so grand and beautifully shot with great and memorable performances by everyone that you hardly care.

Costner's weakness as a director might actually be a benefit to this film, because it seems as if the light handed directing let's the characters shine through like the rays of the sun through parting clouds. You can't help but thoroughly love most of the characters in this film, especially the films two main characters: Boss Spearman (Duvall) and Charlie White (Costner). Together, Costner and Duvall create such vivid three-diminsional characters with perfect chemistry.

Another wonderful aspect of the film is how it doens't rush the audience to the conflict like is all too typical in Hollywood films these days. It's so refreshing to be able to sit back and see TRUE character development. In this sense, it's very much like Dances With Wolves, but audiences with patience should appreciate it.

While it's not the masterpiece that Unforgiven is, the film certainly is grand and would certainly be a contender for best picture were the film year to end today, but it's not without it's flaws. The first half of the film is slow, but it's so elegently crafted that one could hardly call it a flaw. The second half explodes like a stick of dynamite in your face after watching the long fuse finally burn down. But here the film get's sloppy. The romance (if you could call it that) between two of the main characters isn't really forced. It's stated. Two characters fall in love because well... they do. It's not that it's unbelievable, but you do feel very much like you missed several scenes that explored this. The climactic gunfight is nice and realistic, but much of the chaos seems more because of the directors inability to capture it rather than to truly show the chaos of what a gunfight like this would likely be like. Not that either of these gripes or really bad, but they are enough to keep a great film from being a really great film. If you ever liked westerns, they don't get much better than this.

Rating:
Summary: The best film of 2003 and one of the best ever in its genre.
Review: The previews don't do this film justice because there is so much breadth to it. The feature length film breaks the mold of any recent western. The plot is believable, the characters are dynamic and the effects make the film captivating. The action scenes will make you believe that you've wandered into a true 1880's gun battle. Kevin Costner's character is deep, dark and admirable at the same time as his violent past develops over the course of the film. Robert Duvall shines in his role as a gritty old cowboy with an attitude and beliefs that are running obsolete in a changing west. Annette Bening also does an exemplary performance in this film in a major supporting role, adding just the right degree of romance. This is a landmark film as far as performance, realism and story line. Costner has definitely come back to his niche as a film director. 5 Stars for this film and I can't wait for it to be out on video. A must have for the home movie library of any viewer that appreciates a well made western.