A well-written and nicely-acted story with suspense, adventure, gunfights, and all the standard trappings of the classic Western. Underneath, there are several levels of meaning. A 1920s film crew is shooting a movie to satisfy the public's appetite for stories of the mythic Old West, starring an actual sheriff and outlaws who lived through those epic times. On a deeper level, we're watching a modern film about the mythology of the Old West, informed by 21st century attitudes toward racism, colonialism, violence, and oversimplified historical narratives.
Going even deeper, the movie confronts questions of good and evil, the meaning of heroism, repentence and forgiveness, and even the place of mythologies in culture.
If you want a fun movie that also gives the opportunity for thought and discussion, this one will do the job nicely.
Going even deeper, the movie confronts questions of good and evil, the meaning of heroism, repentence and forgiveness, and even the place of mythologies in culture.
If you want a fun movie that also gives the opportunity for thought and discussion, this one will do the job nicely.