Lets set the scene: Second row from the stage in the Visa Screening room of the Historical Elgin Theater. He was introduced and as he walked out I was as gitty as a school boy. Here comes Ed Harris, the writer, director and star of the western film Appaloosa. Giving thanks to the city of Toronto for hosting the film festival, he then proceeded to deliver a heart felt thankful speech to everyone involved in the film’s making. Introducing the cast was by far what everyone in the theater of hundreds, was waiting for. First he thanked the members that were seated in the audience including Adam Nelson who played Mackie Shelton, and also Bob Harris who played the judge in a well acted trial scene. The thing about Bob Harris is that he happens to be Ed Harris’ father. An emotional point in his speech. Ed Harris then introduced the main cast which included academy award winner Jeremy Irons, academy award winner Renee Zellweger and academy award nominee Viggo Mortensen, who is the man.
Set in the New Mexico Territory in 1882, Appaloosa is the story of two men who do “gun work”. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen star as peacemakers who roam the southwest righting the wrongs of towns they get hired in. In Appaloosa, Randall Bragg runs more than his ranch. He runs the town and has everyone scared for their lives and at his mercy. First of all, Appaloosa is very different from recent westerns such as 3:10 to Yuma or even Tombstone or Unforgiven. No, Appaloosa quickly establishes itself in the class of a film made by the great John Ford. Methodically moving story, great acting and humorous and intelligent dialogue. Appaloosa was gritty, intense and moving from beginning to end.
Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen, two of my favorite actors today, had the on-screen chemistry that every filmmaker dreams of. Rugged, badass and tough lawman who just flat out kicked ass through the whole film. Viggo played Everett Hitch, the faithful deputy/ sidekick and even the sometimes needed vocab checker to the infamous lawman Virgil Cole, played by Ed Harris. They were brilliant. There just isn’t much
more I can say to communicate how well they were in Appaloosa. Jeremy Irons was also very good as the outlaw rancher Randall Bragg. He single handedly had the town of Appaloosa at their knees. He was a two-faced back stabbing liar who did everything for himself. A flawless shit head of a villian was Irons. Superbly acted and a nice compliment to the real man of the film.
Then there was Renee Zellweger. Hhhhhh….Renee, Renee, Renee. What happened? I liked you in Cold Mountain as the butch bitch who did what needed to be done to survive. I really liked you in Jerry McGuire. “Shut up, just shut up. You had me at hello. You had mer at hello.” Still makes my eyes tear up. I was even excited when I heard that you got casted in this western. However you disapointed me big time. It’s going to make me angry to dive into exactly why you sucked so I wont even bother. Jim Carey once said in Me, Myself and Irene. “your eyes are always squinty like you’re looking into the sun, and it looks like you sucking on a lemon. But you pull it off.” Well thats all true, except that fact that she didn’t pull off the role. Enough said.
The Cinematography by academy award winning Director of Photography Dean Semler (Dances with Wolves) was breath taking. Elegant sunrises and sunsets make a beautiful backdrop for the story and after his highly acclaimed directorial debute with Pollock, Ed Harris delivered with this tightly wound western.
Exclusively from Moviewiseguys from the Toronto International Film Festival 2008.
IMDB – n/a
RottenTomatoes – n/a
Moviewiseguys – 8.5/10
MADE!!!!