It is sometimes easy to forget that Kevin Costner once had a reputation as an understated and smart Hollywood leading man, due to overbearing epics such as Waterworld and Robin Hood: Prince of Theieves. This tight, and character driven Western is a return to form, and once again shows his keen eye as a director, and his engagement with fellow actors.
I was impressed with the chemistry between Costner as Charley Waite along side Robert Duvall's seasoned 'Boss'. There was some fun knock about humour and sparks between the two, but also a gentle intimacy, and Costner deserves credit for his understated turn in allowing Duvall space to dominate the screen. Duvall has an air of subtle menace and charm as always, its a carefully built and commanding turn. It was also interesting how Boss become the more likable character of the two, having started out as a bit of a grumpy bore.
There is a nice earthy look to the visuals, and the pacing is cool and breezy, with a care to detail, but not overalLy fussy. It is also a rare aspect of the Western that there is only one major action sequence and as a result it feels like a more dramatic and crucial scene. Another surprising thing is that the romance between Annette Bening's Sue and Charley is not rushed or underwritten as it maybe in other films of this genre. It is a credible part of the narrative which is given time to build, and another plus is that Sue is invested with much greater agency than is the norm for female characters of the genre.
Its not all plain sailing, some of the dialogue felt jarring, Diego Luna's supporting character was a tad underwriter and felt like a plot device, and Michael Gambon's Irish accent was cartoonish.
However, for the most part, this was an enjoyable mix comedy, drama, and romance, neatly shot, and grounded.
I was impressed with the chemistry between Costner as Charley Waite along side Robert Duvall's seasoned 'Boss'. There was some fun knock about humour and sparks between the two, but also a gentle intimacy, and Costner deserves credit for his understated turn in allowing Duvall space to dominate the screen. Duvall has an air of subtle menace and charm as always, its a carefully built and commanding turn. It was also interesting how Boss become the more likable character of the two, having started out as a bit of a grumpy bore.
There is a nice earthy look to the visuals, and the pacing is cool and breezy, with a care to detail, but not overalLy fussy. It is also a rare aspect of the Western that there is only one major action sequence and as a result it feels like a more dramatic and crucial scene. Another surprising thing is that the romance between Annette Bening's Sue and Charley is not rushed or underwritten as it maybe in other films of this genre. It is a credible part of the narrative which is given time to build, and another plus is that Sue is invested with much greater agency than is the norm for female characters of the genre.
Its not all plain sailing, some of the dialogue felt jarring, Diego Luna's supporting character was a tad underwriter and felt like a plot device, and Michael Gambon's Irish accent was cartoonish.
However, for the most part, this was an enjoyable mix comedy, drama, and romance, neatly shot, and grounded.