Open Range on DVD
You dont see too many epic westerns any more, and thats a shame.
The Western genre like science fiction - is perfect for telling allegorical
stories or social commentaries where you can tackle contemporary issues in a
fictional setting.
Not that Open Range necessarily does this, though its theme of personal responsibility
regardless of what the status quo thinks is right and/or possible echoes strongly
today an age with little personal responsibility.
But its an epic western in look and feel if nothing else, a visually
gorgeous movie that really deserves to be seen on a large widescreen television,
and with thundering audio that cries out for a good 5.1 surround system.
Were a tad prejudiced about this movie, we must admit. We wanted to like
it, since it was shot about half an hour west of our Calgary headquarters in
some of the most beautiful countryside you can imagine: the foothills of the
Rocky Mountains. And we could plainly see in the background of a few shots the
last mountain we attempted to climb (well, we took the footpaths as far as they
went, then turned around when continuing on would have meant real climbing).But
of course it takes more than a vested interest in the scenery to make a good
movie. Fortunately, Kevin Costner has brought us a fine film as well, with believable,
three dimensional characters and situations with which we can identify.
After all, whos never been in an intolerable situation where, no matter
how peaceable you may want to be, youre just dying to turn around and
smack the bugger who done you wrong. You may not do it, but you sure want to!
And thats basically what the story line for Open Range is: some peaceable
folk forced against their better nature to stand up and be counted, and to smack
down the bugger who done them wrong.
Robert Duvall stars as Boss Spearman, free ranger who, with three
employees, is meandering across the old west with his herd. Free grazing is
a dying profession in the west of 1882, and alas, they run afoul of the reasonably
stereotypical evil rancher (Michael Gambon) who dont cotton to free rangers
in his neck of the woods and who has the local Marshall in his pocket and the
townsfolk in his thrall.
Youve seen this type of situation before and there isnt really
a lot thats new so far as this aspect of the plot is concerned. But this
is really a character-driven story and its Spearman, his second in command
Charlie Waite (Costner) and the townsfolk (especially Sue, the lovely old
maid sister of the local sawbones - beautifully played by Annette Bening).
What brings push to shove is Bosss big mule of a worker, Mose (Abraham
Benrubi) who upon being sent back to town is set upon by Baxters boys
and ends up brutalized and in the crooked Marshalls jail. When Boss and
Charlie spring Mose, Baxter tells them in no uncertain terms that hes
going to send his men to kill them and send the herd packing.
So Boss decides to be proactive, as it were, and he and Charlie leave Mose
and their other compatriot, a youth named Button (Diego Luna), with their wagon
while they sneak back and rough up Baxters boys before they can do them
wrong.
This turns out to be a mistake, because when they return to their wagon, its
in tatters, Button is hanging on to life by a thread and Mose is dead.
So its back to town to settle the score.
Duvall is outstanding as Boss Spearman, a decent man who knows his time is
past but who just wants to be left alone. Except that circumstances force his
hand. Costners character has a lot more to him than initially meets the
eye and the actor/director does a good job with it. Both men are the strong,
silent type, bonded by years together on the trail but who respect each others
"personal space" so much they dont even know each others real name.
Bening lights up the screen when shes there, and there are several other
good supporting roles including Michael Jeter as their ally in the local livery
stable.
If youre looking for lots of action, youll have to sit through
most of the movie disappointed. Theres definitely action in Open Range,
but it comes in spurts and, while the climactic gun battle is predictable, its
well staged and quite enjoyable.
The ending, after the gun battle, is a tad schmaltzy, but were glad things
worked out the way they did for all involved.
Open Range is a tad slow moving, but it never drags. Rather, instead of hitting
us with whiz bang action, Costner and screenwriter Craig Storper
let the story unfold, evolve, in a laid back way that reflects its characters
and their lives or at least the way theyd like their lives to be.
So sit back, relax, and let Open Range envelop you in its atmosphere and images.
Its inevitable that this film be compared with Dances
With Wolves, Costners Oscar-winning epic, but it shouldnt be.
Theyre both epic Westerns, and thats really all they have in common.
Its actually closer to Clint Eastwoods Unforgiven,
with a healthy dose of High Noon thrown in for good measure.
The DVD features a spectacular picture, though we thought the color was a tad
thin. This isnt a problem with the DVD, but rather is the look chosen
for the film and since it deals with a couple of washed up and worn out
cattlemen we cant argue about its appropriateness.
Overall picture quality is terrific, with lovely sharpness (though we detected
some edge enhancement on the titles) and clean color. The picture is presented
in anamorphic widescreen, 16x9 TV compatible.
Then theres the audio. It positively sizzles! Theres a lot of rain
and thunder in Open Range and both the Dolby Digital and dts 5.1 surround soundtracks
do a wonderful job of rumbling through the home theater.
And the gunfire packs a wallop you can feel viscerally. This is a very well
done soundtrack.
Extras include a running commentary accompanying the movie, with director/star
Kevin Costner, and a second disc of stuff. The best is an hour-plus series of
"making of" featurettes narrated and hosted by Costner that gives some excellent
insight into the movie, its creation, and Costner himself. It's very interesting
and quite entertaining, though we would have liked to see it in proper anamorphic
widescreen (this is a common oversight with DVD supplements).
There's also a short featurette on "America's Open Range," several deleted
scenes with optional commentary, "Storyboarding Open Range," and a music video
montage.
It's a shame this movie didn't do better when it first came out. It's a good
flick, well worth seeing - even if you don't live in beautiful Alberta.
Open Range, from Touchstone Home Entertainment
139 min. anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1, 16x9 TV compatible), Dolby Digital and
dts 5.1 surround
Starring Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening,
Produced by David Valdes, Kevin Costner, Jake Eberts
Written by Craig Storper, Directed by Kevin Costner
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