Appaloosa (2008)

Gunfighters turned lawmen, Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) come to the bullied town of Appaloosa to dispatch the hated rancher, Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons). Things become complicated with the arrival of the beautiful and aloof Allison French (Renee Zellweger).

Appaloosa is an odd one. I'm on the fence. While there are certain aspects of the film that I enjoyed; my interest wained numerous times and I found myself eying goofs--not a good sign. I'll refrain from picking it apart as the performances by Harris and Mortensen are exceptional.

As westerns go, Appaloosa fits in the new breed of westerns we've seen in the past year. The story meanders. There's no big gunfight or last hurrah. It's a gritty, subtle film with conviction. The relationship between Cole and Hitch is at the center of the film. This nuanced friendship is well played by Harris and Mortensen--it's the film's saving grace and ultimately the only reason to see the film. Cut from vastly different cloths, the two complete each other and not in a Brokeback Mountain kinda way. The dialogue between these two is amazing.

The supporting characters are essential to the story but are mere caricatures. Renee Zellweger, as a needy single woman is horribly miscast. Jeremy Irons is nicely set as the film's protagonist, but has no bite. Timothy Spall pops up as does veteran character actor James Gammon.

Production wise, Appaloosa contains an authenticity with dusty, isolated places and costumes all nicely detailed. {See how bored I got?} Director Ed Harris has a keen eye. His camera work keeps the film fresh and artful, but not presumptuous.

Appaloosa is a mixed bag. Harris and Mortensen make it interesting. Just don't expect a Tombstone or Unforgiven.