Appaloosa
Oct 10th, 2008 | By Rick | Category: Recent Cinema, Reviews
As Appaloosa opens, Marshall Jack Bell (Bobby Jauregui) and two deputies confront rancher Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) about a couple of his hands. Seems they’ve killed a man and raped and killed his wife. Bragg refuses to hand them over — he says he can’t spare them — and when Bell insists, the rancher kills them all. It’s no surprise: we can see right away that Bell’s not going to back down, just as we know without a doubt that Bragg will never give them up. They are archetypes — less charitably clichés — and they gotta do what they gotta do.
That’s the overarching theme of Ed Harris’ Appaloosa — everybody’s gotta do what everybody’s gotta do. Bragg kills the marshall and his deputies, and it’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back. The town of Appaloosa calls in freelance peacemakers Virgil Cole (Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen), who proceed to take over the town to save it from Bragg. They get the council to pass their own laws, giving them absolute power — get it? it’s like, ripped from the headlines! — and then sit back and wait. Sure enough, Bragg and his men show up to do some bad things, and the fun begins.
All this is standard issue western — a western’s gotta do what a western’s gotta do, after all — and it’s all saved by the central performances of Harris and Mortensen. They’ve got great gobs of chemistry, and play off each other marvelously well. Harris is particularly droll, as the unyielding primary who nevertheless falls for the less-than-constant woman (Rene Zellweger). Appaloosa is at heart a buddy movie, and like all in the genre, it depends on the relationship of the buddies. Casting Harris opposite Mortensen was an inspired choice: we absolutely believe that they’re old and trusted friends.
The rest of the cast fares less well — Irons does his usual suave, menacing Englishman, but ultimately gets lost in the archetype. He is just too constrained by such a narrowly-defined character. As for Zellweger, my son summed it up when he said “i can actually stand her in it. I think it’s because we’re supposed to hate her.” In a smaller role, the venerable James Gammon threatens to steal every scene he’s in.
The Austin and Santa Fe locations are lovingly shot by director of photography Dean Semler, and Harris and editor Kathryn Himoff establish a laconic rhythm well-suited to the laid-back story. There are, however, structural issues with the script, by Harris and Robert Knott. It feels like there are two climaxes — a gunfight with a good 20 minutes or so to go robs the true, emotional climax of some of its power. At 114 minutes, the finished film feels as though it could have been tighted up by ten minutes or so; perhaps a totally irrelevant scene with some some native Americans would have been a place to start.
The Western has been undergoing one of its periodic renaissances in the past couple of years, with last year’s 3:10 to Yuma and The Assassination of Jesse James; a contemporary example, No Country for Old Men, even won Best Picture last year. Though breaking no new ground, Appaloosa is nevertheless a solid addition to the group. The relationship of its central chararcters, beautifully acted by Harris and Mortensen, make it an above-average example of the genre.
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Are there vampires in Appaloosa?
Hi! Rick,
Nice review! of the film “Appaloosa”…ahh!..I guess it is a “must” see film now!…I must admit the ad for this film is “grand”…
…Btw, I sent you an email (pertaining to LAMB and Hitchcock as in Alfred..) yesterday did you receive it?
dcd
I’m confused. Is anyone in the movie undead? Does Viggo have fangs?
A very well-reasoned review, Rick. I was disappointed because it didn’t defy the conventions of the genre; you were pleased that it matched them well.
One thing that’s continued to surprise me as I read people’s reviews is total disdain for Zellweger’s performances. All these years I thought I was the only one…
Bill, yes there is the undead, played by Rene Zellweger. At least she seems that way . . .
dcd, Thanks … Appaloosa’s worth seeing, especially on the big screen.
And I’ve been on the road, in Virginia lisiting my daughter. I got your email and will be glad to mention it. I’ll get it up in a day or so (I just got into Virginia, and I’m tired and it’s late!).
Thanks for the mention; you’ve got a great blog, my friend.
Jonathan,
Man doth not live by fangs alone … or by blood. Viggo Rules!
Daniel,
thanks … Zellweger’s not my favorite actress, true. I though in Cold Mountain — which I liked better than most — she was horribly over the top. Wouldn’t you know she won an oscar …
Dammit! Bill stole my thunder… dammit!… so did Lapper!!
So, I’m guessing a “vampire” joke is pretty lame by now…
… but on the real, nice review Rick!
Rick and other guests,
I just felt the effervescence of joy arise in my breast at the mention of MS Zellweger. Her role in “Miss Potter” was a break-through in dialect coaching. An entire cast surrounded her with proper example and encouragement. And? Why she came through like a road show trooper stealing the scenery. I simply must see this film too.
Earl E.
Fox,
Yes, my friend, I’m afraid you’re a day late and a dollop (of blood, natch) short.
Hey, Earl
yes, indeed, ms zellweger can chew some serious scenery. What I don’t like — especially in this one — is her pinched-mouth idea of playing prim.
Terrific review, Rick.
You make a good point about the gunfight climax with about twenty minutes or so to go makes the actual climax seem like an epilogue, and it tests one’s patience a little, but I enjoyed the denouement, nevertheless.
I finally saw it and reviewed it.
Hi! A.C.,
http://www.welcometoappaloosa.com/
Here goes the advertisement again! to compliment your very detailed review!…and while Rick, is in Virginia, visiting with his daughter, I can “feature it again” on his blog!…Because he (Rick) is unable to get his “hands” on me!
dcd
p.s. I think the advertisement is really!…Cool!…Sepia coloured, black and greyish, wind blown!
Alexander, I like the denouement as well … I just wish there hadn’t been two climaxes.
Good review over at your site.
dcd,
A great ad. Thanks!
Sir Rick,
I fell out of the GB Routine and disappeared to Ashland, thus safely spiriting the Bride away from GBB. We were guests and, as such, were treated to one of the Ashland movie treats. Herzog’s “Encounters At the End of the World”. More on that another time. My comments regarding MS Zellwegger were sarcastic, even for me. I do respect her effort to some degree. I, however, felt self conscious throughout the entire story. That is not a good sign; for the problem is that I will actually have to see the movie once more in order to retain its true value. I’m sorry to have taken advantage of your timely and well considered blog by playing smart ass. Old habits, you know…
Thanxxxxxxxxxxxx!
EarlWiz
Hey, Earl it’s no sweat. If you hang around the blogosphere enough, smart-ass is the least you’ll see.