Review of Open Range (2003) by Matthew F. J — 04 Dec 2013

Hit it out of the park. This movie is so engaging and grounded I occasionally forgot I was watching a movie. With one of the greatest gunfights in cinematic history and a romance that I both believed (not a romance fan) and liked. I was not at first a fan of the rough, slightly crude Kevin Costner character who wore a sadness with him like a cloak. You know he has experienced heartbreak and disappointment may times. Without words he conveys he had never found what he was looking for and has up hope.

Duvall's character was loyal and full of vinegar, intelligence and a can do attitude that made inevitable the confrontation forced on him by a smug, arrogant man who greatly underestimated him. When the going gets rough the tough get going. Duvall got going.

These two men, who in spite of the different world they lived, in understand and respect one another and held onto their humanity and sense of justice. They settled their own fights without self-pity never once complaining or backing down from what their inner essence demanded of them. These men have integrity and it demanded they protect the weak and not shirk from those who dare cross their boundaries uninvited. Respect what is mine and I will leave you in peace. You will only cross me once.

The movie comes across as authentic and the little inaccuracies are unimportant.

It is high drama and Kevin Costner once again proves himself to be a true movies star and one of the great actors of our day.