Appaloosa
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zellweger, Ed Harris, Jeremy Irons, Timothy Spall
Directed by: Ed Harris
2008 Warner Bros. Pictures Western
Ed Harris rides tall in the saddle as director, co-writer, co-producer and star of this terrific Western, a potently acted powerhouse that sticks in the mind and the heart. The source material is a 2005 book by Robert B. Parker, best known for his Spenser crime novels. Harris is best known for being a reliably superb actor (four Oscar nominations) and for scoring an acclaimed 2000 debut as a director with Pollock, in which he played the abstract painter Jackson Pollock. There is nothing abstract about Harris' approach to Appaloosa. Every frame of the movie indicates his bone-deep respect for classic film Westerns, notably 1946's My Darling Clementine, in which director John Ford took a low-key, almost lyrical approach to the gunfight at the OK Corral. Though Appaloosa is shot through with thunderous action and nail-biting suspense, the movie finds its soul in its main characters, in the friendship between Harris' marshal, Virgil Cole, and Viggo Mortensen's deputy, Everett Hitch. The two men have a history, and you can feel it in their every sly move and telling gesture, in their easy banter, in their hard-won mutual respect. Having signed up to bring rough justice to Appaloosa, an 1880s town in the control of despotic rancher Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons), Virgil and Everett do everything that's expected, except show off or show fear. "Feelings get you killed," says Virgil.
Harris and Mortensen, who co-starred in 2005's A History of Violence, do some of the tangiest acting of their respective careers, and they make a knockout team. Everett, who carries an enormous double-barreled 8-gauge shotgun, shows a quiet erudition in his conversations with Virgil. Nothing comes between their unspoken loyalty — that is, until the arrival of Allison French (Renée Zellweger), a widow with a knack for playing piano that almost equals her knack for playing men. Virgil isn't blind to Allison's treachery, but he's in love, and Everett sees it. So does Bragg, who knows that his wealth and power will trump love for centuries to come.
Harris deals with the story's modern parallels, with the fine distinction between enforcing the law and just killing people. "Are you afraid to die?" Virgil asks one varmint, who proudly claims that nothing scares him. "Good," says Virgil, pulling his gun, " 'cause you go first." Great line. Harris knows that the moral issues at stake here are timeless. His Western isn't revisionist like Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven or deconstructionist like last year's 3:10 to Yuma. His film resonates with themes of personal honor that don't age. Appaloosa is gripping entertainment that keeps springing surprises. But Harris triumphs by making the final showdown a battle between a man and his conscience.
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Review 1 of 5
dbrown1793 writes:
The classic Western showdown between the Good Guy and the Bad Guy has been done hundreds of times, but few reach the psychic power of The climax of the film, "Appaloosa". Viggo Mortensen, as Everett Hitch, takes on a preternatural glow as God's own avenging angel, fire in his eyes and determination in that angular jaw of his, as he calls Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) out into the street for divine retribution. Hitch's stance, with one arm behind his back, leaps out of a Charlie Russell painting and although one can guess the outcome, it's a stunning moment.
"Appaloosa" is a classic western but one that makes you think about it while you lie in bed awake. Mortensen, in particular, achieves the not-so-inconsiderable task of making the viewer forget his iconic role in "Lord of the Rings" although Aragorn would have LOVED to have had that immense, Bazooka-sized 8-gauge shotgun that Everett Hitch schleps around.
If you grew up during the Golden Age of Westerns, or even if you didn't, this is a film well worth seeing.
Nov 10, 2008 08:07:31
Review 2 of 5
ricklee writes:
An excellent movie driven by character and plot. It is a pleasure to see a modern western where the dialogue is not handicapped by the censors of the past. If you like a believable action movie with themes of loyalty, honor, courage you will be happy, if your tastes run to car chases and explosions you may not. An added bonus is the Tom Petty- Mudcrutch song over the closing credits, a perfect finish.
Oct 30, 2008 17:41:41
Review 3 of 5
ozzmosis writes:
That was one of the worst westerns I have ever seen. The first 10 minutes were good and then it went straight to hell. The great line of this movie that Travers likes, is actually a ripoff of a line from Tombstone, a far superior film. Do not waste two hours of your life watching this debacle.
Oct 30, 2008 12:37:52
Review 4 of 5
ozma76 writes:
So where is this "gripping" movie Peter Travers is talking about? He must have seen a different version because the one i saw was a complete snoozer. I apologize in advance for not being familiar with the classic western movie of yore. I'm not a critic, but I am a moviegoer and for my money spent, I was expecting something more rousing and action oriented.
What I got was a hoaky buddy story with even hoakier dialog. Then toss in pickle-pussed
Rene Zellweger as mystery lady love interest turned skank and the whole thing takes a dump.
Oct 16, 2008 13:10:55
Review 5 of 5
nobodyatall writes:
I love a good Western. I'm a Mortensen and Harris fan. I did not like this movie. The plot was scattered into too many pieces, and I hated the Allie character. I liked the humor. I liked Everett's action at the end.
Oct 12, 2008 16:41:50
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