Open Range - Memorable TV DVD Reviews

Distributor: Roadshow Entertainment
(Region 4)
Director: Kevin Costner
Cast Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Annette Bening
Extras: Yes

Certificate: M15+

“I ain’t going to meet my maker without knowing your given name, it sure as hell ain’t boss”

“It’s Bluebonnet, Bluebonnet Spearman”

Kevin Costner seems bent on keeping the American western drama alive single handed and this new release from Roadshow is certainly no let down.

1882; Spearman (Robert Duvall) and Waite (Kevin Costner) are free grazers, cattle traders who make the mistake of letting their cattle onto land owned by the pretty despicable Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon) who cares little for the rights of people like Waite and Spearman and is willing to use force to drive them off his property, killing one of their friends in the process and badly injuring the young boy semi-adopted by Spearman.

Waite and Spearman have been partners for a decade and are not willing to let their rights be usurped, justice will be done, heading for a classic western show down in the process.

Shot on digital and absolutely stunning to look at with its wideshot views of the prairies and the ranges Open Range has an epic feel to it, resolutely low key for its first third the movie keeps building to its inevitable climax. Costner and Duvall have a natural rapport and the dialogue (scripted by Craig Storper) is on the spare side but contains lots of relaxed and humorous lines. Annette Bening pops up in a key supporting role as love interest for Costner’s character.

Costner is actually a good director and judges this story of justice and friendship very well and despite being sumptuously shot you still get a real sense of the dirt and grime of the Old West. Even the climatic shoot out feels real. This under rated movie should definitely be added to your must see soon list.

EXTRAS: Director and Cast Open Up About Open Range – this is a text based look at the movie featuring the lead players and their thoughts on the movie. The Western: A Photo Essay – this is a photo montage of stills from classic westerns and their stars, pretty good actually. Finally there is the movies theatrical trailer.