| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
A |
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| Visuals: |
A+ |
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Out of the dust comes Hollywood's most dedicated
by Darin (movies profile)
May 11, 2007
84
of
95 people found this review helpful
"Beautiful country; man can get lost out here."
Is that not the understatement of the century. Kevin Costner's Open Range fires on all cylinders and keeps you interested in perhaps the most thought provoking movies in years. I felt like I was watching a movie that was so well done I couldn't help wondering how a movie could be so wonderful.
Open Range is a Western (when was the last time you heard that genre? The new generation's western's have been replaced by a genre know as comic book movies). The last western I even remember is another Costner film the critically ravaged but audience appreciated POSTMAN. Now for those of you who are still mad at Costner for that film, there is no evidence of the Postman.
Open Range is brilliant from cover to cover. Costner is so good at directing movies, you have to wonder how he hasn't done more. I did feel that the movie was slow most of the way but by the end I could see why all those directorial choices were made (on a sidenote;those of you who have grown up enjoying movies that require a short attention span this may not be your movie).
The first thing that sticks out is of course the cinematography which Costner never sells short on (i.e. Waterworld, Dances With Wolves, The Postman, and Field of Dreams). The cinematographer, who makes his debut, somehow does what the great Dean Semler could by finding the right light always. The film was shot and edited with a certain genius.
As far as the acting, I really liked every performance. Duvall had an exceptional understanding of his role, Benning was tantalizing, and Kevin Costner did not struggle like he has in past roles (i.e. Robin Hood), but instead is stellar as gun-toting Charly Waite. Finally, Michael Gambon, who is the new Dumbledore in the next Harry Potter, is extremely talented and plays his role with vicious prestige.
Is this the Oscar Contender? Maybe. I felt it surpassed the great Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit seemed like the younger brother to Open Range not falling too far behind. I think that this film has a hard edge and keeps your attention. It's rare to get a treat like this. Though it doesn't surpass the Overall status of Dances With Wolves, Unforgiven or The Wild Bunch, there are plenty of philosophical goodies here. |
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