Doc West (2009)

Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

A Brilliant Conflict

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

I saw this TV movie on a UK TV channel, where it was called DOC WEST'S CHALLENGE and split into two parts over two consecutive nights. The film is of interest to spaghetti westerns for marking the return of popular spaghetti western actor Terence Hill to the genre, some decades since he was last famed around the world for his comedy westerns.I never really warmed to Hill as an actor, much preferring his sparring partner Bud Spencer, although the sad news is that Spencer doesn't return for whatever reason here. Instead, he's replaced with lookalike Paul Sorvino, who I admit does an excellent job of playing the likable town sheriff. The story is a straightforward and dare I say it rather clichéd one. Hill plays a card sharp who once happened to be a surgeon, until alcoholism caused the death of one of his patients. You can work out the storyline from there, except to say that there are the usual criminal bad guys to be taken care of and a little romance along the way.The worst thing about DOC WEST'S CHALLENGE is the family-friendly rating and feel, which has much in common with the usual horrid American TV movies. Still, the Italian influence makes this one to watch, and the filming locations - in New Mexico - are spot on. Plus, Hill is a delight to watch. He's aged very well (much like fellow western actor Franco Nero), and his character is warm and charismatic throughout. A fitting swansong for the star, then.

I am not a movie critic and don't have the guts to comment on acting or cinematography. Instead I am an average movie goer who'd watch movies either for the sake of entertainment or some easy to understand lessons and Doc West has both. Hill has been my favorite since I first saw him when I was a kid in They Call me Trinity. Now myself in the forties, I did not expect him to be jumping high and low and doing all those acrobatics that he did in the days of Watch Out We Are Mad! or I am for the Hippopotamus. I rather wanted to see him as a mature but the same 'magical' person who could make all wrongs right—-and that too in a smiling way. And believe me ye people, he just did that.This movie has really made me respect Terrence Hill. Instead of some chocolate cream hero, who'd never accept the aging factor, Hill has totally embraced it and kept his head high by playing a respectable character who despite realizing the darker sides of life, still has that mesmerizing look in his eyes. Those eyes still shine, even though filled with tears.I look at the movie as a true family drama. Not a serious one but touching some of the very serious things in a very light manner. I even liked the character of Millie's father for sticking to his commitments, something you don't very often see in the average portrayals of rich and selfish people.The above so-so comments come mainly from the people who are either very 'practical' about things or expect Terence Hill to never grow old :). The beauty of the actor/director is 'not to pretend' and rather choose a role suiting his current looks. The kid in me still believes that he is the fastest gun in the west and the best cardsharp :) I recommend this movie to an average person who still believes in old values and is nostalgic. You can watch this movie with your kids and even grand kids without hesitation and will enjoy every bit of it, guaranteed! And yes, the acting (except of Hill's) might seem flimsy to some 'had critics't believe me nobody want an Academy nomination for their acting, and to me they fit perfectly in the film. I hope most of you'd like them too, especially Paul Sorvino. I loved him as the Sheriff.

As an adult movie, this rates perhaps a 1 or a 2. The best parts about it are the full frontal shots of Terrence Hill's face, showing his steely blue eyes. But as a kid's television show, it rates about a 5 or 6, so I averaged it into a 3.Simply put, it's equivalent to any Roy Rodgers episode you watched back in the day, but without Gabby Hayes. It has nothing of the panache evidenced by Hill in his spaghetti westerns, no cleverness of plot, no realism of any sort, and nothing innovative. It's more or less of a generic western with mediocre acting and less than mediocre dialog. Your 8 year old will probably like it, and there is nothing objectionable in it to prevent him or her from watching it: quite bloodless, nothing nuanced or obscure, no sexual innuendo. The violence consists of a snake being shot in the tail, a villain being shot in the hand and a kid wounded in the shoulder(who of course recovers completely). It all ends well, just like a Roy Rodgers show.

This review is based on the U.S. DVD release of Doc West, which was originally a 2 episode program for television somewhere outside the U.S. (Italy I presume, though the film is made in English). The DVD running time is shorter than the time listed for the TV miniseries, and judging be the continuity it's safe to say it's the first episode rather than a re-editing of both episodes into a single film (as sometime happens). As such the first episode does work well as a stand alone film.The plot of Doc West is simplicity itself, stranger rides into town and becomes involved in the affairs of it's populace. As this has been done at least one or two times before, it always comes down to the handling of the material that makes or breaks such films. Fortunately star and director Terence Hill does a admirable job with the formula and proves himself a capable director. Anyone expecting the gritty feel of The Wild Bunch or nihilistic tone of Deadwood will be severely disappointed. Rather Doc West is a throwback to the clean cut family oriented westerns of old. Characters perhaps lack great depth but remain interesting, the outdoor scenery is captured well, the cast is good, and the script is nicely written. Paul Sorvino in a nice change of pace from his usual mafia roles, stars as the town's amiable sheriff.This film marks the long awaited return of Terence Hill (real name Mario Girotti) to the western genre. In the early seventies, Hill starred in the Italian western action comedies "My name Is Trinity" and it's sequel "Trinity Is Still My Name" (both films far superior to Blazing Saddles, Support Your Local Sheriff, or anything similar imho). Legendary director Sergio Leone was fond of the Trinity character and decided to use him in a film, albeit in a somewhat more serious manner. As a result Leone cast Hill in the film "My Name Is Nobody". These early films were dubbed in English, though the voice work for Hill's characters is surprisingly similar to his own real voice (which has only a bit of an accent). Hill's last western film was "Troublemakers" (a.k.a. The Fight Before Christmas) with Trinity co-star Bud Spencer. Today the actor has aged quite well and looks in fine physical shape, evidenced by his ability to wear his wardrobe from "My Name Is Nobody" for this latest film. Doc West is perhaps a more mature version of the whimsical Trinity character. This film is not the best western of the last 10 years, but it is certainly entertaining and Terence Hill's long overdue return to the western is warmly welcome. Hopefully the second episode of Doc West will be released on domestic DVD soon and it won't be too long before Hill dons the iconic cowboy duster once again.