Without spoilers:
This movie told a beautiful story. The acting was superb (although the "Pinkerton" guy reminded me of John Wayne in one scene). But how could the acting not be superb with men like Russell Crowe and Christian Bale? Bale especially was amazing.
And then there were other fun surprises as far as actors go--Ben Wade (Crowe) has a right hand man and the actor who plays that character was incredible. Perfectly embodied him. Luke Wilson makes an appearance. The guy who was the pilot (or whatever you call them on space ships) in Serenity was the doctor (aka vet) (although it took way too long to figure out that's where he was from--my husband figured it out after I spent over half the movie asking, "Where have I seen him?!").
The shooting scenes were good--not overdone, not cheesy, not gratuitous.
The tension built both in action and in character. Several years ago, I studied Joseph Campbell's story structure, and that has influenced how I write, how I read, how I view movies. This movie, analyzed by that story structure, reveals depths and questions that gave me a better understanding of what the movie's really about.
As Westerns go, I'm no big fan. But give me a good story, and I don't care what genre you use.
It's a story about honor and integrity.
It's about the psychological make-up of men. What makes them do what they do? How do they become what they are? And, really, are what they are?
You find yourself rooting for both the protagonist and the antagonist. You want them both to win.
Which, of course, is impossible.
Right?
And you don't know if this question comes because of a moral ambiguity in the West (and I would say of the very foundations of America) or if it is because of the men themselves who both hold selfishness-slash-pride and goodness.
Don't worry, I'm not spoiling anything, but I will say that the Resurrection scene in the movie was gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful. And perfectly renders the make of the men. I'll start a discussion for it in the forum for those who have seen it.
With spoilers:
Incredible.
How can someone root for both the protag and antag at the same time?
Here's the thing about the "Resurrection" seen. Ben Wade is moved by a man of honor and integrity. He wants to help him (which he swore before that he would never do). He's moved when Dan is shot (boring, understated names, if you ask me).
But he fixes it as he does everything--shoots the people that killed Dan (though they were the ones loyal to Ben and trying to save him). He gets on the train as he promised Dan (promise made not in words but in action), but he doesn't seek true redemption. He's not even going to go all the way to Yuma. There's something in Ben that makes you think he's redeemable (well, we all are redeemable), but even in this, even as far as he goes, it's not really redemption.
He'll return to his life of crime.
Dan's integrity wins out, but is it just for pride? To be a real hero? For the money to save his family's farm?
Don't get me wrong. I respect Dan. He wouldn't be bought out. Not by Ben, not by the railroad man. He makes a statement about seeing how the world really is, about how people want the chance to walk away. He won't walk away. That's beautiful.
But are his motivations all in the right place?
But his son. Now that's the best part. His son, who had half-admired Ben. Who you know has this chance to choose. Is he going to be like his dad? Or like Ben?
Danger doesn't frighten him. After all, he's 14 and immortal. But which path will he choose?
And in the end, he chooses his father's path. He doesn't shoot Ben,
though there would be justification for it. Ben shot. Dan didn't. Dan's
son doesn't.
And there it is. The redemption. The resurrection. Seen more perfectly in the son than in anyone else.
Talk about it on the discussion board (there are spoilers in the forum).
I had mixed feelings. First of all, the acting...yes. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale...c'mon. Their performances made it worth watching.
But I had problems with the story line. The bad guy who suddenly becomes so good that he'll run through the hail of bullets, helping the good guy. I don't know, that transition seemed too fast for me. But whatever, the movie had so many good points.
Josh and I really enjoyed this movie, too. Josh was really interested in analyzing the true main character, and after some debate he was pretty convinced that it was the son. His demeanor, source of trust, and integrity experienced such an awesome journey - man, I need to see it again now!
Mandi--I agree with Josh (I talked about it on the discussion but didn't want to give away anything in the post). The "Resurrection" seen is played out in the son the most. Ben is impressed with Dan's integrity, but it doesn't really change him. He still solves things as he always did--shoot up the people. Even in getting on the train, he's planning on escaping just a few feet later.
Dan's motives are always mixed. It may be integrity. But it may also be pride. He does change--sees things how they really are--and he can't be bought, but still, there's something missing.
But the son--the whole time, you don't know which side he'll choose. Ben's way or Dan's? He changes from wanting to shoot everyone that wrongs them to choosing not to shoot Ben even though it could be justified.
in short, tell Josh I think he's right! ;)
Hey! I just watched this movie with Kirk last night! I'm not one for Westerns, either, but I felt game because people have made so much hype about this one. Except that for the first 15 minutes, I had NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON. And that annoyed me. Eventually, though, right around the time Christian Bale and his boys catch up with Russell Crowe after the Pinkerton incident, I finally started to piece together who was "good," who was "bad," and who we might want to be rooting for throughout the movie. Which changes as you go, as you know.
Anyway, I found myself really moved by the film and loving it, too, really getting into rooting for the characters and truly loving the splendid ending. Thanks for sharing this review.
By the way, I've been checking out Intersection and have found some great stuff there so far -- your review on this film, Mike Duran's review of Atonement, which was superb -- and am slowly making my way closer to signing up and joining in. :)
I tend to be okay with a little bit of confusion in the beginnings of things because I know I'll figure it out at some point in time.
My husband is not. So he replayed sections a couple of times to try and get it.
I hope you do jump in to Intersection because I know you'll have some astute observations and reflections to add!
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