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 Open
Range
Starring: Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening,
Abraham Benrubi, Diego Luna and Tigg
Directed by: Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner Interview Here->
DVD
Extras Review (Full Film Review Below)
Buy
It Pardners
Open Range is one of the finest Westerns ever made.
Disagree- get your own review. Costner, who is not known
for his short films, again takes his time to get into
the skin of the piece. It works in spades here. This is
a MUST have for any Western fan - actually for anyone
who loves film - it's just that well done.
Sweeping
vistas and ornate, detailed sets help a remarkable cast
and crew transport us back to the old west. Disk 1 is
the film - with commentary from director Costner.
In the jam-packed disk 2 collection of behind the scenes
and deleted pieces Costner frankly talks about the difficulties
the film faced - the bullsh*t a film has to go through.
I interviewed the guy and he's always willing to say-it-as-it-is.
In 'Beyond Open Range' Kev takes us really behind
the scenes, into his home (the film's headquarters), to
the location scouting months, to casting, and on into
the first days of shooting.
The film had a budget of a mere 25 million. He could have
cut edges and played with his vision but he didn't. He
explains he's the physician on behalf of the film. Costner
also shares a private pain he went through on the film.
He was suffering with Appendicitis and didn't know
it. The pain must have been unbearable, but like his
character Charlie, he bucked up and got through the thirteen
hour days. Wow. He wasn't manly man enough huh?
We also get a great look at the storyboards and new software
that moves the frames as a camera would. This helps to
eliminated wasted time, energy, and footage.
If you're into the old west? Well, they've added "America's
Open Range.' It's a detailed doc on the real open range
these people faced. Costner narrates.
The deleted scenes are few as Kev likes to "put it
all in" his films. But again, you'll agree with the
director that the scenes that fell just added bulk to
the film, and as it stands now the piece flows beautifully.
The dvd shows the love of filmmaking Costner has and the
film positively shines for it. Buy
It Pardners
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Open
Range is a romantic, beautiful, and delightfully authentic
Western. Call me a sentimental old crow… Admittedly my affection
for seeing mega-talent Robert Duvall and handsome Kevin Costner
all dolled up in manly western wear already had me entering the
theater with a broad smile…But honest injun this is a spectacular
film.
It's
a telling story of sprawling budding America and the ruthlessness
with which some businessmen shaped the west. Free grazers, or
cattlemen without plots of land, roamed with their herd letting
them feed on a spot till left barren then moving along. But now
the land they feed on is owned or next to owned land and the locals
aint too happy.
Our
tale follows a small group of four such grazers. The two veterans,
Boss (Robert Duvall) and Charley (Kevin Costner), along with their
two younger naïve hands, Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and Button
(Diego Luna), have come across a horizon of land that is controlled
be one helluva mean sonavabitch (Michael Gambon) hell bent on
squashing these "free loaders" once and for all.
Of
course Boss and Charley aren't really free loaders at all. They
are hard working cowboys left over when use of the land was free.
They just haven't caught up is all. No matter. This scumbag will
slice them down just the same.
Ah,
but it seems Charley's got a dark past that'll come in handy when
all the shootin' starts. And trust me the shootin' starts (in
one of the finest showdowns in the genre's history by fact).
It's
the age-old story of men and honor mixed with a solid friendships
and subtle romance in the hands of developed rich characters;
there's no paper cutouts here folks. Stunning tough girly girl
Annette Bening plays "Charley's" love interest "Sue"
and for once - in a very long time - it's adult love that's portrayed;
complex and unfolding. Robert Duvall really can do no wrong in
my eyes and "Boss" fits the guy like a pair of comfy
worn cowboy boots. Kevin Costner does a great job as "Charley,"
the man-with-a-past, without being a stereotype of Western hype.
As director, Kev got the story wholeheartedly and thankfully left
these wonderful pregnant silences and dialog deliveries others
may have nipped and tucked to homogenize the piece. Especially
with Duvall. He uses Bobbie's talents to perfection, boldly letting
the man do what it is that he does. Costner also allowed the majestic
backdrop (Alberta, Canada actually) to become an important character,
showing at once the beauty and the volatility the land held. Being
a frontiersman was no easy task and you're reminded how strong
these forefathers were through out our nation's growth.
Open
Range is a phenomenal piece of work folks. Saddle up and mosey
on down to your theatrical venue down yonder and hitch up for
a great time. Y'all wont be disappointed. Now git!
Snack
recommendation: Beef jerky and whiskey.
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