I was disappointed with “Appaloosa.” I wanted it to be a deeply engaging narrative that probes the relationship between good and evil, much like “Eastern Promises.” Instead, “Appaloosa” focuses on the relationship between Virgil (Ed Harris), Everett (Viggo Mortensen) and Allison (Renee Zellweger), with bad guy Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) on the periphery. Partners Virgil and Everett, freelance law enforcers, are hired by the city council of Appaloosa to rid the town of Randall Bragg and his henchmen. A few days later, Allison steps off the train and although both men are smitten, Allison makes it clear that its Virgil she prefers. Unfortunately for Virgil, the thoroughly amoral Allison is attracted to whomever is around if Virgil is elsewhere.
Harris, who also directs, is effective as the steely-eyed protector – that is, until he beats up a man in a bar with more violence than is necessary. Suddenly, we glimpse a darker side to our protagonist, which could point to interesting events to come. Regrettably, Harris the director pulls back on this aspect of Virgil’s personality. In fact, he drops it altogether and Virgil is never as interesting. Mortensen, one of the most underrated actors around, steals the movie with a look, a gesture, a smile. However, Renee Zellweger is totally miscast as a femme fatale. “Appaloosa” may be pleasing in appearance, but it is, ultimately, empty. 9/28/08
1 comment:
Appaloosa is a beautifully filmed western saga taking place in a small town in New Mexico in the late 19th century. Ed Harris stars in the movie, directs the film and produces the movie. Harris is one of my favorites and he acts pretty well in the picture but acting does not make for a good screenplay and this film falls short. I have been looking forward to this picture for a long time hoping that this might be the rebirth of the "OK Corral" type movies that I have always loved. Ed Harris does not measure up as the "Wyatt Earp" type character, there is no Doc Holiday in this one although Viggo Mortensen is a very good "Virgil Earp" type character. Overall, Appaloosa is a rip off of the OK Corral, Tombstone type western drama. Renee Zellweger is the worst casting of all in this sad "cut and paste" western. She is supposed to be the glamorous love interest but she isn't even close to the kind of actress needed for this role. Give me Michelle Pfeiffer for this role and she might have saved this film. Jeremy Irons makes a valiant effort as the evil Randall Bragg but even he can't save this film from failure. Save your money and go to Blockbuster and rent "Gunfight at OK Corral".
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