Viggo Mortensen, sere and sepia-toned, is the real star of “Appaloosa,” a traditionalist Western from actor/director Ed Harris. The few Westerns that trickle into theaters anymore are either exceptionally bleak (“The Proposition”), self-aware (“Sukiyaki Western Django”), or both at the same time (“The Claim”). Hitting all the beats of a traditional oater, the film is fresher for it; Harris isn’t trying to reinvent the genre.
“Appaloosa” nails the details just a little bit better than most films. Allison French (Renée Zellweger), fresh off the train, plays poorly on an out-of-tune piano in the town’s bar. This detail is not mentioned, just left in the background. The end credits feature extreme close-ups of the props made for the film. Cole’s tin star is imprinted with the town’s name and Appaloosa’s laws are carefully printed out.
Everett Hitch (Mortensen) is Virgil Cole’s (Harris) deputy. As marshal-for-hire, Appaloosa turns over the right of law to Cole in order to bring down the scoundrel Bragg (Jeremy Irons, admirably downplaying the malevolence). Hitch is the narrator of the film. He’s also Cole’s strongman and confidante. Viggo Mortensen once again brings his mesmerizing, solemn screen presence to the role. “Appaloosa” smartly builds confidence in the instincts of Hitch. His actions at the end of the film are necessary and logical. In a film of predictable turns, what seems surprising has been shrewdly telegraphed all along.
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5 comments:
I dunno. I found this movie amazingly dull. I guess I like my westerns "exceptionally bleak".
Have you seen Sukiyaki Western Django? I haven't but I'm curious about it.
No, but I'm sure it's half-assed and sporadically brilliant, like all of Beat's films. (Except for "Odishon," which is mostly brilliant.)
Oops--I confused Beat Takeshi with Takashi Miike. Miike made both "Sukiyaki Western Django" and "Odishon."
"Oater"? Hadn't heard that before. Will put this film on my queue.
It's a crossword word.
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