![]() Boss and Charley bring Mose to the local doctor, Barlow (Dean McDermott), where Charley falls in love for his sister, Sue Barlow (Annette Bening). They find Moses beaten and arrested in the jail by the corrupt Sheriff Poole (James Russo), accused of fighting against the men of a powerful local rancher, Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon). Mose never comes back, and Boss and Charley decides to check what happened with him. Boss requests Mose to return to a small town nearby and buy some supplies for the rest of their journey. Boss and Spearman have been friends for ten years, and they have an special affection and friendship for Button, Mose and his dog Dig. The cowboys Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and Button (Diego Luna) are conducting their cattle herd through the fields of the West. I can't say enough about this movie except that I'm sorry more westerns like it aren't made today. And, in a different twist, it's the romance, not the usual climactic gun battle, that ends this film. It doesn't get sappy, it doesn't overshadow the basic story, but it adds a nice, soft touch to what could be a very rough and unpleasant tale. There are no lulls but not a ton of action, either. This might be one of the best movies, audibly-speaking, I've ever heard, which is another reason for ranking it Number One. When the action does occur, such as gunfire, the sound is incredible. The two men who are out on the range with Duvall and Costner also were excellent. It was nice to see Bening actually play a wholesome woman for a change. Duvall, by the way, gives one of the best short "speeches" I've ever witnessed in a movie. 2 - Characters you really care about, led by three actors who almost always give solid performances: Robert Duvall (the best in here), Costner and Annette Bening. ![]() If it looks spectacular on my 24-inch flat-screen, I can't imagine how awesome it would be a big plasma set. I make this bold statement because of the following: 1 - Fantastic scenery and beautiful cinematography. I can't give it higher praise than that! Since I've seen so many, for so long, it's especially high praise. The best thing I can say about this film right out front is that it may be the best western I've ever watched. Well, at least Kevin Costner must have a heart for the genre as he been involved with several major western productions in the last 15 years, this the latest. Western films were big at the box office in several decades, too. People in the Baby Boomer generation grew up with them on television. They don't westerns that much anymore, at least on the big screen. What starts out with all the flavour of a Boys' Own adventure (complete with cutesy dog) turns out to be a well-rounded minor classic. ![]() Open Range is no high and mighty moraliser however there are plenty true-to-genre one-liners, such as "You're nothing!" (grim-faced, cornered bad guy) - "Maybe so," (good guy pointing a gun at him), "but I'll still be breathing in another minute!" Towards the end of the film they also battle with their own inner demons. The qualities of the main heroes are likeable - they value the trust, respect and confidence that is given them and realise the value of these things. The characters are well fleshed out, it has plenty to appeal to adults (men and women) rather than being just a boys-with-guns film. For actor/director/producer Kevin Costner, it seems to have been a labour of love and one that has paid off handsomely. Open Range doesn't do anything particularly new, it just does it particularly well. A traditional, well-made western - suitable for most ages, features good guys herdin' cattle, bad guys tryin' to steal the cattle, codes of honour, a corrupt sheriff, a fantastic shoot-out, and Annette Bening being lovely in the wings. ![]()
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