Review of The Jack Bull (1999) by Nichole R — 28 Jun 2004
I almost sent this one back without watching it. The Netflix sleeve description sounded rather boring and didn't list any of the actors in the film. The credits start to roll, and I see that John Cusak is in it. Despite my love of Cusak, I still almost sent it back without watching further. But, it started, and I very quickly became glad I watched.
Believe it or not, Cusak does a fine job...in a Western. The cast isn't a flashy one, but it's definitely solid. John Goodman puts in a VERY good performance (man, that guy CAN act). Miranda Otto also does a capable job.
The story is a simple one...a horse trader leaves his horses in good faith in the hands of a local powerbroker and returns to find the man he left with them and the horses badly beaten, with the horses close to dying. All Redding wants is justice, in a pre-statehood Wyoming, where local justice IS justice.
The movie could have taken the easy road...the happy road. But it doesn't. There is no fairytale ending here...only the harsh realities of local politics gone bad.
If you don't mind watching Cusak in a Western, I'd highly recommend this. It's not perfect, but it's a pretty unconventional Western and a good movie to boot. :).
This review of The Jack Bull (1999) was written by Nichole R on 28 Jun 2004.
The Jack Bull has generally received positive reviews.
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