Open Range (2003)

What makes it different from others?

Too many fans seem to be blown away

Don't Believe the Hype

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Open Range is the type of Western I can again and again. I already have watched it several times.

Haven't seen a movie take in the (Alberta) scenery this well since Unforgiven. If I hadn't lived there this movie would make me want to move there. Robert Duvall is good in every movie he's ever been in, this one included. Annette Bening should be in more movies. Kevin Costner, well, he does Kevin Costner well enough. Good supporting cast, including some reliable Canucks. The plot is 100% paint-by-numbers, from the bromance to the romance to the Peckinpah-level of killing. How did America come to accept all this blood as normal? No wonder it's a country where crazies are shooting up schools on a weekly basis.

Short and Simple Review by WubsTheFadgerFirst off, the story is very simple. Some free range cattle farmers are told to leave because the owner of the land doesn't want these filthy free folk on his land. Things turn violent when the farmers want to settle things diplomatically. The story is told in a very slow fashion but is extremely powerful.The acting is the best part about the film. Kevin Costner delivers a stunning performance as a man torn between what he truly is and what he want to become. Michael Jeter also delivers an amazing performance. Robert Duvall, Annette Bening, Michael Gambon, Abraham Benrubi, and Diego Luna also perform well.The pacing is very slow until the end. The film wants us to connect and study the characters as real people. But the pacing can be seen as slow nonetheless. Also the runtime is overlong. Pros: Simple story, great ending, amazing performance by Kevin Costner and Michael Jeter, good acting, and great character studiesCons: Very slow pacing and an overlong runtimeOverall Rating: 8.4

It's extremely hard to identify with text that doesn't add something new to the incredible reviews already composed; but I'd say I think I found my favorite Western movie on Jan1st, 2018! While my father always watched Westerns with the ever fascinating John Wayne, you ponder what else could a classic be about? Clint Eastwood made a fine film, and not like this is new territory, about good guys trying to correct some bad guys doing bad things on the old frontier... What is new, (being that it is actually made in 2003) is that Costner's rendition charms in literally EVERY single way of storytelling. Seriously... I absolutely love watching Robert Duvall in a western and here, he's nothing short of realistic, amazing and the perfect partner to accompany Costner in this journey both in text and on screen. I'll save the plot for 50 others that have capitulated it so darn well, but for me, I simply can't pick out a particular part that either wasn't needed, or, was either under-done or overdone..? The scenery is a dream, the story; punctual and hearty - and the story.... the story is simply spellbinding in a way where it offers a few turns to keep the next chapter fresh. Annette Benning was simply charming and eloquent. Can't say anything bad here. But for Costner, he doesn't play the absolutely 'roughest-gunner' out there, but he inserts just at correct moments, humanity and yet, he's got a past he slowly reveals. This film is stunning from all angles, ideals, cinematography and editing. A simple yet charismatic film with incredibly well developed and devout characters. Loved it.