Review of The Proposition (2005) by Maximilian S — 14 Feb 2010

It pains me that I never discovered this movie until recently, as over the past few years, I'd always wondered what happened to the western genre. Yes, there have been western movies released this decade, like the remake of 3:10 to Yuma, but the genre has effectively been dead since the early 90's gave us the fantastic Unforgiven. As I was watching the Australian film The Proposition, I knew this is the movie I'd always wanted to see: a Western that managed to capture the harsh and uncompromising atmosphere of Blood Meridian. There hasn't been a western that captured the true gritty essence of the west since The Man With No Name rolled into town.

First of all, I just want to say that this movie is gorgeous. Forget Hollywood's fixation on CGI and all that Avatar crap, this is the real deal. THIS is what movies should look like. Amazing cinematography filmed in the actual Outback, where the film is set, which makes it all the more authentic. The towns, the sunsets, the caves, everything just looks perfect with huge attention to detail. The soundtrack by Nick Cave and violinist Warren Ellis is also a major highlight, with its combination of folk and ambiance that fit the tone perfectly. The Rider Song is a standout and it worked perfectly as a recurring leitmotif. It's fitting that screenwriter Nick Cave would have such an amazing handle on the score when he penned the movie himself!

As for the film, it takes place in the Australian outback during the 1880s. The British are attempting to "civilize" the land, and Captain Morris Stanley (a fantastic Ray Winstone) is in charge of policing the small settlement, while he primarily deals with the hostile indigenous population and rebel outlaws. Stanley manages to capture two brothers of the infamous Burns gang, Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce) and younger brother Mikey Burns. Stanley offers Charlie the titicular proposition: kill his older brother Arthur (Danny Huston) in nine days, or Mikey dies. The gang brutally slaughtered a family in town, and justice is demanded. He lets Charlie go and keeps the deal a secret, which sets the movie in motion.

The film is incredibly violent at times, but it isn't gratuitous, as it shows the gore for as long as it needs to, then cuts to the next scene. The emphasis here is on the characters, and its shying away from showing the brutality reinforces that. The movie is ultimately about society's regeneration through violence, and how inevitable it is, regardless of how one's ethics are concerned. Stanley can try to be as "civil" as he wants, but blood baths are unavoidable. The story is simple and to the point, and all of the cast deliver spectacular performances. I also need to mention John Hurt's bizarre and aggressive character, Jellon Lamb, who is a bounty hunter and while not being a major character, he's more proof of John Hurt's incomparable acting chops. He didn't get much screen time, but every second was a delight.

Overall, a brilliant movie that I wish I'd discovered earlier. I can see how John Hillcoat got the job directing The Road after seeing this. Without a doubt one of the best films I've seen this decade.