Review of Appaloosa (2008) by Ted D — 13 Jul 2009

Appaloosa may be the closest movie to giving 3:10 to Yuma a run for its money as the best Western of the decade (though I can't say it succeeds at that point, because 3:10 to Yuma is superior, but I'm not saying that in any way to disparage Appaloosa). There isn't anything new as to the environs or anything that stands out visually, but the acting performances are incredible. Viggo Mortensen is particularly amazing, and even though I'm now coming to expect so much from him as my favorite actor, I continue to be blown away by his performances. He plays the fiercely loyal companion of Ed Harris' character (though there are ZERO sexual under- or overtones in the friendship, which is perfect to have not been included), and their relationship offers a look at how "partners" from the old West became so loyal and close. Almost every Western hero has a partner, and though the relationships can sometimes play differently, Harris explores in Appaloosa what keeps two men, who would probably be just fine on their own, so closely attached to each other--to help each other no matter what, and back each other's plays, even when words don't need to be spoken (though sometimes they do need to be spoken, as a particular theme plays throughout the movie that Harris needs Mortensen's help to remember big words). It's a completely symbiotic relationship that was common at the time, and this may be the first Western movie that takes the time to explore how that sort of bond forms and holds. Harris and Mortensen have a very natural and fluid chemistry throughout the movie, even at times when Mortensen can see that Harris isn't making the best choices.

There's a beautiful little scene about a third of the way through where Harris tells Mortensen his feelings on building and setting up a house. Harris is visibly distraught and needs Mortensen's help in telling Zellweger his feelings. When he gets to the house, its walls haven't been put up, and the house is wide open from all sides. It represents the way that Harris' character puts himself behind walls emotionally (we see him get pushed to the edge by Zellweger herself in the scene where Harris beats up a drunk teamster), while Zellweger's character is completely open and has no walls (which we'll see plenty as the movie goes on). It's a really terrific use of props and scenery to convey two big character flaws from the leads.

Jeremy Irons is awesome, regardless of his bad accent (he could have just played his own accent, it's not like America isn't a land of immigrants and the prospect of a foreigner living in the West at this time would be outlandish). He's very menacing and dangerous, yet eloquent and smart. His refined transformation seems natural for someone who has played so many diverse parts as he has. My only qualm in this movie might be Renee Zelweger (I still don't know how to spell her last name). She's a little too mousey and not such a believably strong person for the character's needs. Without giving her character's cravings and motivations away, it could be stated that a stronger actress would have been much better in this part (like Maria Bello, for example).

Appaloosa is not so much a plot-driven action movie as a character-driven exploration of relationships (and not only Harris' and Mortensen's) and some of the values that drive each of the characters and how they stick to them (or change them, when necessary). If you can hang on through the slower parts (which are still entertaining if you're a fan of acting and GOOD dialogue) you should feel rewarded when you can completely understand Mortensen's character's final decision and what brings him to see it through. It's not about the final action, but how that action is decided upon and carried out (it's especially important to follow that arc, because if you've been paying enough attention, it should be clear that the outcome is not going to be in doubt).

Overall a fantastic western, and it deserves to be mentioned along with the big boys of the genre, maybe in the lower half of a top-10 Western list.