Wyatt Earp (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Rating:
Summary: COMPREHENSIVE AND INSIGHTFUL
Review: I have heard much said in comparison between WYATT EARP, starring Kevin Costner, and TOMBSTONE, starring Kurt Russell. Invariably most critics seem to gravitate to the shorter, bloodier TOMBSTONE. But I'd have to say that I like both for different reasons.

WYATT EARP is classic Costner. Long, meticulously accurate and comprehensive. I like this movie for the insight that it provides into Earp's storied life. Earp's adolescence and early adulthood are usually left out leading Earp aficionados to believe that he was born full grown and living in Tombstone instead of in Missouri. The story of the loss of his wife and the short-lived life of crime were fascinating. Earp's work as a buffalo skinner and freighter also added to the ultimate lore.

WYATT EARP is very likely one of Costner's best performances, more believable than his role as John Dunbar in DANCES WITH WOLVES and a precursor to his recent triumph in OPEN RANGE.

As with TOMBSTONE, it's interesting that the scene stealer is Doc Holliday, played in WYATT EARP by Dennis Quaid. Whereas TOMBSTONE'S Doc, Val Kilmer, emerges as more of a dandy, Quaid, with the emaciated personna that he assumed for the role (he lost over forty pounds!), his steely-eyed scowl and his rampant sarcasm, is much more believable as Holliday, reputed to be one of the coldest killers in the history of the West, than is Kilmer. Granted, Kilmer is wonderful, but Dennis Quaid emerges as the frightening, psychotic killer that Holliday was.

WYATT EARP also showcases the talents of many of Hollywood's brightest stars. Gene Hackman, though in no more than a cameo, is wonderful as Nicholas Earp, the patriarch of a large family who instills within the minds of his family that nothing matters more than blood and kin. Catherine O'Hara and JoBeth Williams star as the feisty wives of Morgan and James Earp. Mare Winningham is perfect as the ill-fated Mattie Blaylock, the woman who assumed that she was Wyatt Earp's common-law wife and, in the end, fades into a cloud drug-induced stupor. Bill Pullman is wonderful as Ed Masterson, the "affable," unheralded brother of the famous Bat Masterson, played by Tom Sizemore. And Ma Ingles, Karen Grassle, is trotted out in the cameo of Wyatt's mother-in-law, Mrs. Sutherland.

Yes, WYATT EARP is long and drawn out. But the story, the James Newton Howard soundtrack and the wonderful panoramic cinematography are well worth it.

THE HORSEMAN