I don't think it's unfair to say that this is a bit odd and unexpected from the outset. Even before the opening credits have finished flashing before our eyes it's rather concretely imparted to us that the film is very direct (the first notes of Jeff Danna's score to greet us are distorted electric guitar), noticeably stylized (observe the font employed for subtitles), and unapologetically forceful in its direction (especially its many action sequences). There's nothing inherently wrong with any of this, of course, though personal preference is another matter. At the same time, given the appearance and feel of this feature - superficially resembling low-grade, low-budget fare much more than the most recognizably revered westerns - it seems strange to see such high-profile names in the cast. How did Dwight Yoakam, Kris Kristofferson, and Peter Dinklage get involved in this? How are additional renowned actors like Cote de Pablo, Scott Speedman, and Jason Priestley also part of this ensemble, all playing second fiddle to less immediately well-known Lizzy Caplan as protagonist Juliette?
To take note of these things is no tangent. 'The last rites of Ransom Pride' bears less kinship with the titles we're used to seeing from these actors than it does with the sort of fare that's generally characterized by the details I've mentioned. This isn't to say that it's altogether awful; there are elements of this I find fabulously enjoyable. But it's also safe to say that the picture is more than a little self-indulgent. Self-indulgent - and overzealous, and overcooked.
On the one hand, this can claim strong casting, acting, production values, production design and art direction, costume design, hair and makeup, and stunts and effects. Though a tad much as it presents here, I do like Danna's music in and of itself; action scenes are swell, and I think the direction is quite fine broadly. The character designs are fun, with de Pablo's witch in particular clearly having gotten a lot of attention in the conjuration. Why, there's a lot to like in the screenplay filmmaker Tiller Russell whipped up with co-writer Ray Wylie Hubbard. As written, too, the characters are vibrant and fanciful. The broad strokes of the narrative are superb, blending classic western notions with some that are more modern, or perhaps borrowed from other genres; there are many wonderful ideas herein.
On the other hand, 'Last rites' grows more troubled when we look to details of scene writing and dialogue. There are too many shots, scenes, lines of dialogue, and otherwise inclusions that don't really add anything. In theory such facets might round out character background and motivations, or the story, in a roundabout way, but the benefit is minimal and the time spent thereon is excessive. This includes Juliette's flashbacks, and further occasional one- or two-frame flashes; instances of needlessly crude language; some scenes and supporting characters are approached with such substantial grandiosity that the inclusion in and of itself seems to have been of higher priority than the place that these scenes or characters might have in the plot. Consider the appearance of Dinklage's character, or his unusual friends, or arguably the entirety of Blu Mankuma's character. Why, there are more characters here than the tale needed, and I wonder if some weren't added into the script just to give a role to some of the bigger names that are attached. All such aspects frankly distract from the actual tale on hand, diminishing the movie's value. And all this might not even be the worst sin, as Joel Plotch's editing is so flagrantly boisterous, curt, and choppy that the nearest point of comparison is 2001 horror romp 'Thir13en ghosts' - which, if you recall, was infamous for making some audiences physically ill with the rapid-fire kaleidoscope of visuals it subjected us to.
As strong as the narrative is, and (most of) the characters; as fine as the production looks at large, and for as much as the cast gave of themselves here? All this intelligence, heart, and craftsmanship is treated with less care, and is significantly, hugely, unquestionably overshadowed, by the persistent drive to be harder, faster, extra, More. Embellishment supersedes judicious storytelling and sincere film-making; so much effort was put into procuring spices that the effect is to render the savory meat, as it presents, stringy and gamy. This is never as entertaining as it could and should have been, and all that would have been truly necessary to improve 'Last rites' on some basic level would have been to tend to the plot first and foremost. Had that been the case, all else would have followed in turn in a manner that was more genuine, meaningful, impactful. Instead, the plot gets buried and confused as Russell, Hubbard, and others constantly try to one-up themselves.
No doubt other folks will take a look at 'The last rites of Ransom Pride' and get more out of it than I did; I'm glad for them. I found myself checked out much sooner than I could have ever anticipated, and the rest of the length was a slog, including even the climax. There was much potential here, and it was wasted in the rush for form over function; I ultimately feel bad that the cast's contributions amounted to so little. As far as I'm concerned, this is severely disappointing.
To take note of these things is no tangent. 'The last rites of Ransom Pride' bears less kinship with the titles we're used to seeing from these actors than it does with the sort of fare that's generally characterized by the details I've mentioned. This isn't to say that it's altogether awful; there are elements of this I find fabulously enjoyable. But it's also safe to say that the picture is more than a little self-indulgent. Self-indulgent - and overzealous, and overcooked.
On the one hand, this can claim strong casting, acting, production values, production design and art direction, costume design, hair and makeup, and stunts and effects. Though a tad much as it presents here, I do like Danna's music in and of itself; action scenes are swell, and I think the direction is quite fine broadly. The character designs are fun, with de Pablo's witch in particular clearly having gotten a lot of attention in the conjuration. Why, there's a lot to like in the screenplay filmmaker Tiller Russell whipped up with co-writer Ray Wylie Hubbard. As written, too, the characters are vibrant and fanciful. The broad strokes of the narrative are superb, blending classic western notions with some that are more modern, or perhaps borrowed from other genres; there are many wonderful ideas herein.
On the other hand, 'Last rites' grows more troubled when we look to details of scene writing and dialogue. There are too many shots, scenes, lines of dialogue, and otherwise inclusions that don't really add anything. In theory such facets might round out character background and motivations, or the story, in a roundabout way, but the benefit is minimal and the time spent thereon is excessive. This includes Juliette's flashbacks, and further occasional one- or two-frame flashes; instances of needlessly crude language; some scenes and supporting characters are approached with such substantial grandiosity that the inclusion in and of itself seems to have been of higher priority than the place that these scenes or characters might have in the plot. Consider the appearance of Dinklage's character, or his unusual friends, or arguably the entirety of Blu Mankuma's character. Why, there are more characters here than the tale needed, and I wonder if some weren't added into the script just to give a role to some of the bigger names that are attached. All such aspects frankly distract from the actual tale on hand, diminishing the movie's value. And all this might not even be the worst sin, as Joel Plotch's editing is so flagrantly boisterous, curt, and choppy that the nearest point of comparison is 2001 horror romp 'Thir13en ghosts' - which, if you recall, was infamous for making some audiences physically ill with the rapid-fire kaleidoscope of visuals it subjected us to.
As strong as the narrative is, and (most of) the characters; as fine as the production looks at large, and for as much as the cast gave of themselves here? All this intelligence, heart, and craftsmanship is treated with less care, and is significantly, hugely, unquestionably overshadowed, by the persistent drive to be harder, faster, extra, More. Embellishment supersedes judicious storytelling and sincere film-making; so much effort was put into procuring spices that the effect is to render the savory meat, as it presents, stringy and gamy. This is never as entertaining as it could and should have been, and all that would have been truly necessary to improve 'Last rites' on some basic level would have been to tend to the plot first and foremost. Had that been the case, all else would have followed in turn in a manner that was more genuine, meaningful, impactful. Instead, the plot gets buried and confused as Russell, Hubbard, and others constantly try to one-up themselves.
No doubt other folks will take a look at 'The last rites of Ransom Pride' and get more out of it than I did; I'm glad for them. I found myself checked out much sooner than I could have ever anticipated, and the rest of the length was a slog, including even the climax. There was much potential here, and it was wasted in the rush for form over function; I ultimately feel bad that the cast's contributions amounted to so little. As far as I'm concerned, this is severely disappointing.