Open Range (2003) watch along
Added 2025-01-03 17:00:15 +0000 UTCWhat an incredible movie! Huge props to Kevin Costner. I loved the patience—it gave the story so much depth. The cinematography had me gushing the entire time; the compositions were breathtaking, and the way the shots were framed. Every single character delivered such subtle, nuanced performances.
In my outro, I went into even more detail, but this is truly a masterful, realistic Western. It felt like a personal passion project for Costner; you could sense that love and care in every scene. Visually stunning, and emotionally engaging—this film was a feast for the eyes. Especially those beautiful Canadian Rockies! LFG, Canada!
I need to dive into more Westerns because I feel like there's even more to appreciate here.
Let me know your thoughts!!
xx
ames
Comments
Definitely need to see Lonesome Dove and 3:10 to Yuma to round out the best westerns made in the last few decades
Josh B
2025-01-05 01:26:17 +0000 UTCI've been looking forward to Open Range! It was also on my bucket list and was a first-time watch with you, Ames! I loved it! Beautifully filmed on location in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (at Stoney Indian Reservation), the landscapes were so lovely, they were their own art gallery! What amazing chemistry between between Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner! Costner was very convincing as Charley Waite but Robert Duvall!!! Duvall was off the charts as Boss Spearman! I completely agree with your comments, Ames, about the honesty and simplicity of the story, which in many ways modeled the honesty and simplicity of the two main characters (at least at this point in their lives). Annette Bening's performance as Sue Barlow was amazing and powerful, as usual! (I'll never forget her Oscar-nominated performance alongside Jodie Foster in "Nyad".) Her character portrayal in the film was perfect, nuanced and compelling! ***** SPOILERS BELOW ***** You could see the spark between Sue and Charley the moment they met one another! Beautifully acted by both Bening and Costner! Who doesn't love a romance in a Western? (At least one that's not overdone!) This one was a perfect slow burn! The idea that sometimes a person needs to do what must be done, regardless of the cost, is such an attractive premise and was so finely crafted in the film. Screenwriter Craig Storper said, "These characters don't seek violence." "But the notion that it's sometimes necessary... is the Western's most fundamental ideal."* Charley hammers this point home when he says, "Well you may not know this but there's things that gnaw at a man worse than dyin'". What a line! Once it was decided that Mose's death (and Tig's) would not go unpunished, it was fascinating to see how the story focused on Boss and Charley doing their best to put their affairs in order... essentially preparing to die. Charley telling his back-story (his confession) to Boss under the stars the night before riding into town, for what would likely be the last time. Boss buying Swiss chocolate and Cuban cigars for five dollars (see note below). Boss revealing he had previously been married and had a kid. Telling one another their true given names. Boss encouraging Charley to go back and say what needed to be said to Sue before the gun fight. It truly hammered home the dire reality of their situation! *The Story Notes for the film are fascinating! They can be found (archived) at: https://web.archive.org/web/20121224151547/http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/2012/06/story-notes-trivia-open-range.php A few other Story Notes: Production spent over one million dollars to build a town from scratch for the film since Costner didn't like any of Canada's pre-existing "Western towns". Costner says Tig's death scene was hard for him because he's "a great lover of animals, dogs in particular". Five dollars (for Swiss chocolate and Cuban cigars) might not seem like much, but in 1882 it equaled a whole month's rent for a house.
John Courtright
2025-01-04 01:48:42 +0000 UTC
