Kelly WandGeronimo
September 13th 2006 07:20
I know mentions of Kevin Costner are enough to induce outbreaks of fear and loathing amongst rational human beings everywhere but that doesn’t mean “Open Range” is not a great movie. I myself read a very favourable review but that didn’t mean I had to believe it. Remember “Waterworld”. Never forget “The Postman”. The names of these stinkers were etched into my brain with all the scarring a veteran might attach to famous battles. I saw an ex-rental copy for $2.95. Oh, how the mighty had fallen, I told myself. A sucker for a Western, I decided to give this baby its day in court despite myself. A good thing I did. It now comes highly recommended by yours truly.
Director Walter Hill busied himself making Wild Bill. Anyone who has seen the Deadwood television series will probably want to check this film out as it is kind of a try-out for the series. (And speaking of Deadwood, surely that also points to some kind of a renaissance in the genre). Hill also made the tremendous “Geronimo” and that’s the film I’ve really come here to praise today.
I had kind of expected this to be more in the bio-pic mould but, instead, we have a very balanced film about the period of time leading up to Geronimo’s surrender and resettlement in Florida. With its Monument Valley settings, it abounds with echoes of John Ford’s Cavalry Trilogy. The cavalry is portrayed as being both noble and corrupt and it treats the Native Americans with both respect and contempt. The Indians themselves are portrayed as people too. We see they have been unjustly treated. We see their wisdom and quiet hearts. We also see their savagery. This is not a film about good guys and bad guys. This is a film about people with needs and codes that cannot be reconciled. It is about how each side views honour.
The participants in this war often find they can trust certain members of the opposing sides as they would brothers and in this core understanding of humanity, this film at least gives some hope amidst the betrayals of Government.
It is particularly nice to see Gene Hackman in the role of an honourable man. For too long now, he has been running the treadmill of the snide villain. Jason Patric and Wes Studi are excellent and even Matt Damon wipes that self satisfied smirk off of his face long enough to hand in an acceptable performance. Robert Duvall is superb in a difficult role that seems to sum up the whole film. He is a mess of conflicting beliefs who must remain loyal despite his conflicts.
The cinematography is gorgeous. Every sky is like a painting. If there is a God, he certainly went out of his way to be obliging in setting up the atmospheric landscapes and menacing cloud forms. I wanted to freeze the frame at various points and just hang the images on the wall.
Excellent score from Ry Cooder and a great screenplay from John Milius and Larry Gross. Believe me, it’s not everyday I compliment a screenplay and particularly not one by John Milius. (I know how to hold down a grudge and “Red Dawn” and “Conan the Barbarian” both put me in a particularly grudge holding mood.)
This is a smart film from a director who too many people write off as a dumb macho thug. When you look back over his body of work, even though his themes are essentially masculine, you realise he does much more than that. A thug only throws out gratuitous violence for the amusement of others. Hill is also capable of commenting on these masculine obsessions and that’s what makes his work unique.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Nice to see a little love for Geronimo, its not a masterpiece but certainly a worthy entry into the western genre. Jason Patric(Rush, Narc, Your Friends and Neighbours) is superb.
Totally agree with you that there have been a few decent westerns made in recent years.
Im not normally a fan of Costner (thought Dances WithWolves was an overlong remake of Sam Fuller's Run Of the Arrow), that didnt change the fact that Open Range is a fantastic, classic style western.
I would also add Ang Lee's Ride With The Devil.
Comment by Bob Short
I also must mention the guilty pleasure that is Streets of Fire. The week that came out, I went to see it at the cinema three times. That made me and nobody else.
I know it remains unloved by critics but that just makes it more special!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Streets has its merits, but ranks lowlyon my Hill scale.
My guilty pleasure is The Driver, just so moody and cool. Plus the car stunts are sublime and it has that pulpy dialogue down pat. Another one I may review soon.
Comment by Bob Short