A white woman is kidnapped from her home by Apache Indians who then trade her to the Mojave Indians. She lives as a squaw for 11 years until she is found by her husband. Considering her unfi... Read allA white woman is kidnapped from her home by Apache Indians who then trade her to the Mojave Indians. She lives as a squaw for 11 years until she is found by her husband. Considering her unfit for society, he keeps her in a shack in the desert. Her solitary existence is transforme... Read allA white woman is kidnapped from her home by Apache Indians who then trade her to the Mojave Indians. She lives as a squaw for 11 years until she is found by her husband. Considering her unfit for society, he keeps her in a shack in the desert. Her solitary existence is transformed by the arrival of a Mexican who befriends her, reignites her self-worth, and increases h... Read all
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Featured reviews
This atmospheric Western, an abbreviated Eastwood oater, has a real good look, is skillfully shot, has some fine compositions and is dramatically well paced. Where it weakens is in the pivotal meeting scene between husband, wife and drifter which doesn't live up to the dramatic pitch that it has been building. It does however maintain it's good look from start to finish.
Ruben Vega comes across both tough and romantic, a too-well-traveled man whose best and perhaps only chance at love saves a strong, beautiful woman taken for granted by the ignorant men around her. And SHE in turn becomes his salvation. Even if--as may or may not be the case--he pays for this act with his life.
The free clips I've seen online hint at how powerful this film is, but its full effect can only be seen by viewing it in its entirety. Do that and it will become apparent it's about the most flawless short ever. No other in the Oscar hunt this year--or almost any other year--is in the same league.
Hints at violence here are not only apropos but subtle, while any nudity is even more touching and apropos; if these characters are hinted to "make love," they do justice to the term. A million "clean" films I've seen are infinitely dirtier in their soul.
The short was a tad bit long for a "short film". Sometimes shorts are so long you feel like you got cheated out a a full length feature. Other times shorts are so brief that you feel cheated out of having some closure with the story. I think this film road the line between too long and just right. There are moments that I really did want some more back story.
Overall I would say this is my second favorite of the Oscar shorts.
By the way I guess some readers/viewers should know that shorts are not usually MPAA rated so you should always assume you might see something "r-rated". In this movie you do see a top half full frontal of a woman. So just breasts. That should not be a big deal, but I guess it is for some. I will say that is is tastefully done and not gratuitous.
If you get a chance definitely catch this short.
The film begins with a man in a confessional out in the Old West. Part way through his long litany of sins, the guy stumbles out of the confession booth--apparently bleeding and dying. Then the story does a flashback to let you know how the man got to be in such a state.
While the movie was reasonably competent and is watchable, it's not especially pleasant or rewarding. Also, parents be aware that there is quite a bit of nudity in the film--so think twice before letting your kids see this.
UPDATE--Apparently I am lousy at guessing Oscars, as MOZART OF PICKPOCKETS just won the award for 2008.
Charlotte Asprey plays Sarah Isham--a beautiful woman in the 19th Century west who was kidnapped by Indians, and was horribly mutilated with tattoos (?scars) around her mouth. Her husband, who loved her, has spent 11 years trying to find her. Once he finds her, he's horrified by her appearance and by the fact that she is no longer his pure, virginal wife. Her husband has isolated Sarah in a cabin far from his ranch, where she's ogled by the ranch hands and visited by no one.
Francesco Quinn plays Ruben Vega, a Mexican-American cattle rustler who comes across Sarah's cabin, falls in love with her, and then has to decide what is the best way to help her.
The movie begins and ends in a small Catholic church, where the priest, a good enough man and sincere churchman, hears Vega's confession. Clearly, Vega, the thief, is the better Christian.
We saw this film in a theater. I think it will work on a small screen, but the emptiness of the dry countryside surrounding Sarah's cabin may not be as evident.
P.S. Pay close attention to the statue of the Virgin.
Did you know
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 2007 Academy Award Nominated Short Films: Live Action (2008)
Details
- Runtime35 minutes
- Color