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In Reply to: Open Range -- I'm all thumbs, up! posted by clarkjohnsen on August 25, 2003 at 10:45:52:
all pointed DOWN.
Zero drama, that's the main problem. No building of tension. Lots of staring out at gorgeous scenery, lots of talk between Costner and Duvall. A silly romance, half-developed. A monotonous, one-note movie that slow-walks for an hour and a half to a very forgettable climax (I cannot, honestly, remember what occurred as I type this...). And music, music, music every damn moment, to boot.
The real problem is there is no strong antagonist---and no time is spent making him (and his "gang") vicious. As everyone knows, the key to a great western is a cruel, heartless assassin.
Further, neither Costner nor Duvall seem well suited to Westerns.
Comparing "Open Range" to "Unforgiven" is comparing beef steak to horse shit.
Follow Ups:
Love that European pacing. Stands in admirable contrast to your favored American freneticism and camera antics and FX.Plus life in the Old West must have been even slower-paced. Which was part of the point surely.
If you don't like Duvall you don't like acting.
I'd go ever farther. If you don't like Duvall's role, you don't like smart, wise and weathered older men who behave conservatively.
clark
You didn't address any of my points, except Duvall's acting, which is on a par with an old coot w/mutton chops whose name I can't recall at the moment but has become an embarrassment of over-sincerity.
Boring AIN'T European, btw.
My title line is a direct quote of a so-called "point". Besides, what use is there adresssing remarks such as "zero drama", "monotonous" and "forgettable" (which I guess it isn't, as you're still on about it).clark
is a key component. Hiding around town and making shy moonful glances at a 50 yr. old woman is not too dramatic. Where, clark, is the antagonist? The sense of impending doom?
A western must have an epic climax. This one? Not even a wet dream. The big shootout as filmed here is indistinguishable from network tv.
But if your idea of a great movie is Costner talking for an hour and a half...buy a copy when it comes out. At least you'll sleep well.
Through my heavy lids I see these two people exchange stares and banal conversation--NEXT THING: Duval is telling Costner to go tell her how he feels about her as it may be his only chance! Huh? About what? Had I missed a great romantic move? Maybe there's something I don't know aboout the mating habits of the Old West, circa 1882.
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