The
Western is among the most neglected genres in modern cinema. Audiences have
little interest in cowboys or cattlemen nowadays, and not just because John
Wayne is no longer alive. I too lack enthusiasm over this outdated genre
(especially since the Western has been subjected to such recent cruelty as American
Outlaws and Texas Rangers), but along with Clint Eastwood, Kevin
Costner makes Westerns as good as he does baseball films. And Open Range,
Costner’s latest outing, is no exception.
The film begins in a slow pace, taking its time to photograph the vast fields of
grass. Costner plays Charley Wait, an enigmatic freegrazer with a violent past.
Hired by the elderly Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), Charley and his employer,
along with two young helpers (Diego Luna and Abraham Benrubi), are content to
live off the land and avoid trouble.
Trouble finds them, however, in the form of Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon), a
freegrazer hating rancher who will not permit Boss and his crew pass through his
town. After Baxter and his thugs severely injure the two young cowboys, Charley
and Boss go into town seeking revenge.
Open Range has a basic Western premise, and even a few basic Western
characters, but that is not to say the film doesn’t add additional layers to the
overdone genre. The story allows time for the development of these characters,
not worrying solely about plot. And when the High Noon-like showdown is
underway, there is plenty of gun-slinging action to make up for the previous
scenes missing any.
The only complaint that comes to mind would be Costner’s stale romance with
who appears to be the town’s only female, Sue Barlow (Annette Bening). Some of
their scenes work well, especially in the way they reveal Charley’s shyness
around women, but they certainly don’t shorten the film’s 2-hour plus
running time.
Considering
the Western is a dying genre, Open Range is a worthy viewing for anyone
who is a fan of cowboy stories. Costner is far from topping his 1990
masterpiece, Dances with Wolves, but with his latest film he does deliver
an enjoyable piece of adult entertainment. -Shaun Sages
GRADE: B
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2003 by Shaun
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