This western is set in 1882 in Montana; the era of the open range where cattle could graze freely is coming to an end as wealthy ranchers take over. "Boss" Spearman along with his friend Charley Waite are two open range cattlemen who are driving their herd across the range with the help of Moses and Button. When Moses fails to return from a nearby town Boss and Charley investigate and find he has been arrested and badly beaten by the marshal, who is in the pay of local cattle baron, Denton Baxter. After Moses is treated by the local doctor they return to the herd. The next night Baxter's men ride close by; Boss and Charley ride to confront them but when they return Moses is dead and Button is seriously injured. They will have to return to town to seek medical help... confrontation with Baxter and his men is inevitable.
For a while in the late twentieth century it looked as though the western genre was on its way out; having seen several made in the twenty first century I suspect the genre will survive as long as people watch films. They may be mostly set in a specific time and place but the themes never grow old. 'Open Range' is a fine addition to the genre. The theme of people holding out against those who are violently trying to stop their way of life might not be new but it is hard for any viewer not to sympathise with our protagonists. Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner are great as 'Boss' and Charley; Michael Gambon is delightfully menacing as Baxter and Annette Bening impresses as Sue Barlow, potential romantic interest. Some may feel it is slow at times but I felt this gave the viewer time to get to know the characters and for the tension to rise before the final, thrilling confrontation. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to any fans of the western genre.
For a while in the late twentieth century it looked as though the western genre was on its way out; having seen several made in the twenty first century I suspect the genre will survive as long as people watch films. They may be mostly set in a specific time and place but the themes never grow old. 'Open Range' is a fine addition to the genre. The theme of people holding out against those who are violently trying to stop their way of life might not be new but it is hard for any viewer not to sympathise with our protagonists. Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner are great as 'Boss' and Charley; Michael Gambon is delightfully menacing as Baxter and Annette Bening impresses as Sue Barlow, potential romantic interest. Some may feel it is slow at times but I felt this gave the viewer time to get to know the characters and for the tension to rise before the final, thrilling confrontation. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to any fans of the western genre.