A conversation with a friend led to his mentioning the Western as a 'true American film'. His recent exploration of 'spaghetti westerns' has left him with a respect for the genre. His recommendation of No Country For Old Men included high marks and this description: 'It's a modern western." 3:10 to Yuma didn't garner marks as high, but was still a recommendation.
The Magnificent Seven, Unforgiven, Tombstone, practically the entire career of Clint Eastwood-- those are westerns. John Wayne was ultimately a caricature; his westerns are old-school mainstays. Rooster Cogburn isn't for me. Then again, neither is Eastwood's Preacher. 3:10 to Yuma is solid remake of 1957 {I've not seen} classic. Although it's not quite classic material, the film is still tight.
In exchange for a few hundred dollars and access to water for his heard, small-time rancher Dan Evans (steely-eyed Christian Bale) has agreed to transport captured outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the town of Contention to wait out for the 3:10 train to Yuma prison. The trip to Contention is rife with it as outlaw Wade wreaks psychological havoc on Evans while the outlaw's posse makes their next move.
What raises 3:10 to Yuma from average to good are the stellar performances. Bale and Crowe command the screen. Crowe is brilliant as the indifferent Ben Wade. He presents as a dignified outlaw with principals, albeit skewed ones. Christian Bale brings everything to the table as the beleaguered rancher and father. He's the 'just trying to make ends meet' kind of guy with a wife who no longer shares his dream and a couple of disillusioned kids. The subtle nuances of both characters are phenomenal. Freakin' Peter Fonda is cool as a grizzly old Pinkerton man. Ben Foster is solid as Charlie Prince, the hero-worshipping, maniacal right-hand man of Wade. Prince is young and cocky against Crowe's charming and reserved Wade.
Director James Mangold has fashioned a modern western. Good guys don't always wear white hats; bad guys don't wear black anymore. 3:10 to Yuma is almost ambivalent. Instead, Mangold focuses on the characters, the cause and effects, the first step that muddied the water. No one gets off easy here as each character is made to examine his choices and face their consequences.
Sweeping cinematography presents breath-taking views of the American West with dusty plains and cosmopolitan mining towns as a beautiful score unfolds.
3:10 to Yuma is an exciting contribution to the western genre and personally has me wishing for a revival.
1 comment:
Excellent review! I probably loved the film more than you did, but it's good to hear you liked it alot. I, too, am hoping for a revival of the true American Film. But only if they are done right.
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