TIFF Review: Appaloosa
Ed Harris’ directorial sophomore project Appaloosa is an excellent example of what a popcorn movie should be. It is fairly light when it comes to meaning and importance but it sure is a lot of fun with some good action and its fair share of well timed humour. In the long run it will not be the most memorable movie but it was fun and you could definitely do a lot worse.
Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen are Virgil and Everett, two law men who provide their services to towns for a cost. They arrive in the small town of Appaloosa to take up the mantle of sheriff and deputy after Bragg played by Jeremy Irons guns down the previous sheriff and deputies. Every thing seems to be going as planned, Virgil and Everett gun down a few of Bragg’s men and get ready for the confrontation with Bragg himself. Then Rene Zellweger at Allison arrives on the train and catches the attention of both Virgil and Everett. What we are left with is the eventual arrest and confrontation between Bragg, his hired henchmen, Virgil and Everett and the possible disagreement between Virgil and Everett.
The whole romance triangle could have played out in the staid standard way but Harris and the script manage to throw in enough twists that you won’t see coming to Appaloosa and charming and fun western. The action is well done and are combined with a good sense of humour. It was a nice joy to catch something a bit lighter and fun in my dark genre filled schedule here at TIFF.
As one final comment on Appaloosa, it was great to see Lance Henriksen and Timothy Spall show up in smaller supporting roles.
Jealous. Can’t wait to check this one out.
Comment by Jonathan — September 6, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
It was unfortunate to see such great actors perform in such a film that experiences a storyline with cheap humor, violence apparent but absent with description, and an ending that proves nothing as if the beginning of the movie was paused for a full two hours, and never had the courage to pick up.
Fortunately, with great actors come slumps, and although this film was a bitter disappointment, it is without concern that Harris and others in the future will produce more meaningful and acclaimed pieces of work.
Comment by Sean — September 6, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
Sounds like Open Range redeux. Which is fine with me. I look forward to this one. Did you guys happen to see regular reader, Ashley, there? She’s the biggest Viggo fan I know.
Comment by Andrew James — September 6, 2008 @ 10:45 pm
I disagree Sean…. Sure I really like my movies to be deep and to have lasting emotions but every so often light fun comes along that connects with me and Appaloosa did just that.
Before the movie Ed Harris got up and introduced the film and even said its just meant to be a fun piece of entertainment.
Comment by John Allison — September 7, 2008 @ 9:41 am
@Andrew, nope I didn’t see anyone there but I also wasn’t looking to hard. It was a 9 in the morning showing and I didn’t get to sleep till around 1:00 the night before so I was in sit down and relax mode. I’ve met a few different people so far but none from the actual site.
Comment by John Allison — September 7, 2008 @ 9:42 am