Rating of
3.5/4
A Wild Western
Freddie - wrote on 12/27/09
Christian Bale and Russell Crowe do an excellent job in this modern western. The pairing of the these two powerful actors creates an on-screen energy that is forced to be reckoned with. Bale fully submits himself into the role of a struggling, one-legged rancher who will not let his vulnerability get in the way of his pride and determination to be a good role model for his sons and a good husband. Crowe shines as a witty and cunning western badass who doesn't think twice about robbing and killing, despite the little light that shines within him that he desperately wants to extinguish.
The movie is about a rancher named Dan Evans (Bale) who offers to transport outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) to prison for a small fee so that he can repay the debts he owes on his ranch. However, this becomes a difficult task for Evans and the others with Wade's gang trying to track them down as well as Wade himself constantly trying to find ways to escape. This is a remake of the 1957 version with Glenn Ford and Van Heflin. I haven't seen the original yet so I am unable to compare, but I can say, standing alone, the movie is brilliant. You do not have to be a fan of westerns to like this film. To be honest, I almost did not watch this because it is a western, but I'm glad that I did. It would be unfortunate for anyone to pass this up just because of the whole horses and cowboy hats thing. The film has drama, suspense, and a touch of comedy. But again, the performances are superb.
Just as a side note, another character to look out for is Charlie Prince (Ben Foster). Foster is stunningly ruthless as Wade's right hand man. He's one of those characters that you hate to love; but, you can't help yourself because tied into all that mayhem his actions ironically enough are coming from a place of pure and utter loyalty and love(?). I definitely loved every time he was on screen.
