Appaloosa -2008

Director : Ed Harris

Writer(s) : Robert Knott, Ed Harris

Novel By: Robert K. Parker

Rating : R

Genre : Western/action/adventure

Running Time: 115 mins

Cast : Ed Harris, Renee Zellweger, Viggo Mortensen, Jermey Irons

           The plot, based on the novel by Robert Parker, is set in Appaloosa, a small mining town in 1882 New Mexico. Ed Harris plays Virgil Cole, experienced lawman who, together with his best friend and film’s narrator Everett Hitch (played by Viggo Mortensen), made themselves a good reputation by cleaning-up wild western towns from reckless outlaws. The town of Appaloosa has a serious problem of that nature in the form of Randall Bragg (played by Jeremy Irons), a wealthy rancher whose cowboys terrorise, rape and murder the townsfolk. After the town’s marshall and his deputy die while trying to arrest Bragg’s men, Appaloosa's towns leaders hire Cole and Hitch to deal with the problem. They quickly establish some sort of law and order, but their mission and friendship is challenged with an arrival of attractive female pianist Allison French (played by Renee Zellweger).

   The film moves at times slowly but for the most part, APPALOOSA is a classic Western formula with barren landscapes that underline the characters and their strict separation between the Good and Evil, as well as proper blend of action, melodrama and humour. One of the examples of latter  is provided by Cole’s lack of proper education and his inability to employ “important” words, which brings well-educated Hitch to rescue. The acting in this film is superb – Harris and Mortensen play their characters with great deal of ease, while Irons can’t hide his enthusiasm in playing villain quite uncharacteristic for his career. Zellweger doesn't do too much with her role as Ally, a woman whose appearances hide a flawed and edgy character. Zellweger's delivery smacks of self protection, not wanting to show the less attractive elements of Ally's personality too openly. The result is a somewhat muffled performance, but it does'nt distract from an engaging and intresting film. And as we all know, a film is only as good as its main badass villian, and Jeremy Irons makes the malevolent Randall Bragg seem genuinely interesting, as a man who knows his heart and doesn't much care if it's good or bad as long as it ticks to his head's beat. Timothy Spall is likeable and amusing as one of the town's councillors, elected no doubt simply for his willingness to seem important. However if your looking for the Ultimate Showdown between the bad and good, look close because it happens in an instant!

 7/10 Stars