Review of Quigley Down Under (1990) by Robert T — 14 Oct 2008

Admittedly, I had some mixed feelings about watching Magnum, P.I. as a cowboy (I got this one as a dual-pack with "Rob Roy", feeling that the whole price was worth it for the latter and that "Quigley" was more or less a bonus flick) - but I was wrong. A bit of research indicates that Mr. Selleck is one of Michigan's own and has a number of similar political leanings as myself. More importantly, he appears to be a pretty good sort - so my apologies, Tom. I will learn to keep my brain's mouth shut until I have better evidence.

"Quigley" has an interesting concept, moving the Western genre out into Western Australia, but keeping much of what makes them such. Gunfire, insane trickshots, fistfights, getting lost in the desert, horseback chases, ranchers, the lot. Also, the film might be the only one I know of (and probably the only major Hollywood picture) to deal with Australian persecution of its indigenous people (oft-times known as the "Aborigines"). This is well-handled, as it's a major plot point without being preachy. In addition, rather than moving in the tradition of "Unforgiven" and similar "revisionist" Westerns, where everyone is an equally muddy moral shade, this one has clearly good and bad characters. This is often mishandled, mostly in the way they're written. Happy to say that "Quigley" doesn't do this - the titular hero is not portrayed as infallible or inhuman; he loses his patience, makes mistakes, etc. But, he has the best interests of the innocent at heart and always behaves in a courageous and cool manner. Well done.

The other principals are good too - Laura San Giacomo (rawr...yarbles) plays the addled prostitute "Crazy" Cora extremely well, and gets plenty of character development, making her more than just simple comic relief/love interest and actually central to the plot. And of course, one can always count on Alan Rickman to be able to crank out a good film baddie in his sleep. He's given a lot less to work with than the others (he's almost Hans Gruber from "Die Hard" in a black Stetson), but he does well with it.

And of course, being a *huge* Basil Poledouris fan, the soundtrack is just what the film needs - by turns epic and playful, with his usual orchestral thunder-and-bombast (albeit run through an Aaron Copeland, "ride-the-high-country" kind of filter) sharing space with a banjo riff that I would guess is Quigley's motif. Good stuff, as always.

I was more than pleasantly surprised. An original concept, homage to the pictures of yesteryear, loads of action, very good characterization - "Quigley Down Under" is recommended without hesitation to fans of Westerns, gunfights, laughter, Australia, and of course, Mr. Selleck and his famous 'stache.