Appaloosa

Appaloosa

What happened to the Western? Westerns used to be one of the most popular and reliable genres in Hollywood and then it just virtually dropped off the face of the planet. It's strange because in many ways, the Western is America's mythology - cities like Tombstone and Dodge City stand in for Athens or Sparta, while American legends like Jesse James and Billy the Kid are like our Hercules and Theseus. But for whatever reason, new Western films are few and far between.

Unfortunately, films like Appaloosa are not going to help the genre make its comeback. All the pieces of the puzzle are in place, but unfortunately the movie is a beautiful looking bore. When a local rancher Bragg (Jeremy Irons) kills the town marshal, the town of Appaloosa hires famous and tough-as-iron lawmen Cole (Ed Harris) and Hitch (Viggo Mortenson) to restore order and bring Bragg to justice. As if matters aren't complicated enough, a poor piano player named Allie (Renee Zellweger) arrives in town, intent on providing herself with domestic stability no matter the cost.

Harris, who also wrote and directed the film, respects all the rules of the genre, but really focuses on making this a character study. The friendship between Cole and Hitch is wonderfully played and not overly written. They communicate whole conversations just with their facial expressions, and don't waste a lot of time on pointless exposition. But just because Appaloosa is a serious character study doesn't mean it needs to be dull. The movie's pace is dreadful - while I appreciate the effort to not rush and allow us to see the different shades of the characters, it would be nice if something would actually happen every once in awhile. Being realistic and focusing on character development doesn't mean you have to make me sleepy.

The story could also use some work. Here's an example and SPOILER ALERT here: Jeremy Irons' Bragg completely changes character and motivation about 2/3 through the movie for no good reason. And it's all explained away with one line - "I'm now a reformed man." What? When? I never saw that happen. One scene he is the evil rancher yelling for Cole's death and the next scene he is a sophisticated town saloon owner, polite and friendly to everyone. This is accepted by everyone in the movie because well, see, he's a reformed man now. Boo. I expect better.

A lot of critics really seemed to like this movie when it came out. And there is a lot to appreciate. The acting is solid throughout, with Mortenson probably being the highlight. There was some complaining about Zellweger, but I actually think the character was so unlikable that those feelings transferred over to her performance, which I think is pretty good. The period costumes and sets are superb and don't look like a bunch of actors playing dress up on a studio backlot. The city of Appaloosa looks lived in, and that is a great achievement. The cinematography by Dean Semler is terrific (though I would expect no less from the master behind the camera for Dances with Wolves, Lonesome Dove and uh, Nutty Professor 2). With so much to like, it really is a shame that the whole thing doesn't gel together more smoothly. Perhaps with a script polish and a more experienced director behind the reins, this movie could have really moved. Imagine what Walter Hill could have done with this story?

Ah, well. So it's a misfire. A slow, plodding misfire with a lot to admire. Hopefully the studios will look at it as a lesson on how to make the next Western better, instead of proof that they should stop making them at all.


MVP: You know, I wondered who would win this acting battle between two intense heavyweights - Ed Harris and Viggo Mortenson. Their scenes together in A History of Violence were some of the best parts of that movie (with Harris probably slightly winning the duel in that movie). But in Appaloosa, there is no debate. This is Viggo's film. Armed with a kickass massive shotgun and some of the best movie facial hair I've seen in a long time, Viggo's Everett Hitch is a loyal and smart man - probably a bit smarter than his boss. Every nuance Viggo brings to the performance is the right choice - and he manages to make the gunslinger both sensitive and tough at the same time. Good stuff.

TRIVIA: Diane Lane was originally cast as Allie, but had to drop out during pre-production. As I mentioned, I liked Zellweger in the role. But I am a huge fan of Diane Lane so this would have been much preferred. Alas...

BEST LINE: (After an anti-climactic shootout) Hitch: That was quick. Cole: Yeah...cause everyone could shoot."