Rented "Open Range" last night....thought I would hate it because I can't usually stomach Costner....

Posted by dennzio on February 28, 2004 at 13:19:20

however I was pleasantly surprised. This film dragged a little, but I believe that was intentional in order to capture the pace of those times and that place in the West. Costner made me believe that he was an open range cowpunch with a shady past, Duval was just perfect as "Boss", I truly love his performances in all his roles...and Bening came across quite well in her role as the lovely spinster.

Most gun fights in Westerns are way too phony IMHO, but the shootout at the end Open Range was what I believe could have actually taken place in those days. Lots of missed shots, guys running away and hiding after the initial blasts, but best of all to me was Costner immediately shooting the evil gunslinger in the head before he even drew his gun. That's what you would want to do in a gunfight, take out the toughest guy first. In most Hollywood gunfights the badass is usually the last guy to get it. This was a refreshing alternative.

The final scene drags a little and is a bit Schmaltzy which leaves a bad taste in the mouth, but I wouldn't leave Costner Unforgiven for this, overall the movie was an authentic portrayal of the Old West and not a typical Hollywood western. Still, it's no The Good the Bad and the Ugly.

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Topic - Rented "Open Range" last night....thought I would hate it because I can't usually stomach Costner.... - dennzio 13:19:20 02/28/04 (4)

Some aspects were original and felt authentic.... - Tom §. 11:45:31 03/01/04 (0)

RE: Lots of missed shots, guys running away - Auricle 08:27:55 03/01/04 (0)

Believe I wrote the same thing when it came out... DV all over again... nt - clarkjohnsen 12:03:03 02/29/04 (1)

I need to get in the theaters more often. - dennzio 15:48:22 02/29/04 (0)

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