Open Range
Packed with epic action, Open Range is a powerfully gripping story that's never been told until now, and stars Academy Award winners Robert Duvall (John Q) and Kevin Costner (Tin Cup), and Academy Award nominee Annette Bening (American Beauty). A group of free grazers, four men trying to escape their pasts, are driving cattle and living off the land on the open range-a place where nature makes the only laws. When a ruthless, evil rancher tries to run them out of town, the men's peaceful existence takes a tumultuous turn and ends in the grittiest, most explosive gunfight on film as two men battle a town for honor, justice and a way of life that's quickly disappearing.
Member Reviews
Alberta Never Looked So Good - MovieProf
"Open Range" is the second Western directed by Kevin Costner, and while it can't measure up to the glory that is "Dances with Wolves," it is a darn good yarn nonetheless. Shot in beautiful Alberta, there are countless scenes with vistas that seem too perfect to believe, but Alberta is that wonderful a place, so believe what you are seeing. Robert Duvall gets top billing here over Costner, and both turn in solid performances. It is interesting to note the pace of the film: a slower tempo that must be deliberate, because there are opportunities for more action, particularly early on (Mose's fight in the general store and subsequent arrest is excluded, for example, as is his murder and Button's wounding). "Open Range" takes its time to get to the final showdown--a staple of any decent Western--but when the guns start blazing, you can bet you are in store for one of the best Western gunfights on film--and I've seen a lot of them.It's 1955 Again! - MovieLover5
Well, not really, but this movie will remind viewers of a certain age of Westerns of that era. Good and evil are clearly established, the hero cowpoke is awkward in the presence of the heroine (but of course he'll win her in the end), there's the young guy who's too rash, there's even the lovable dog. Within the first half hour you have a pretty good idea who is going to come out OK when the movie wraps up.
Having said all that, it's an easily watchable film with sufficient action to keep your attention. The scenery is terrific with Alberta standing in for the U.S., plus you have Robert Duvall and Annette Bening backing up Kevin Costner's lead. If you enjoy traditional Westerns, you should like this one.Perfectly decent workmanlike Western - Shepherd
Solidly decent,with a great performance from Duvall and a ... consistent... showing from Costner; Open Range is a great movie to watch when you've got something else to do, because after the first half-hour you can expect either (a) spectacular scenery or (b) rainy darkness, and the characters sell the whole thing without having to have your eyes locked on the screen every second. And an eyepoppingly good gunfight at the end with some truly great sound production (crisp echoes!).
It is, however, thoroughly by the numbers. After the first 45 minutes, you can tell exactly what's going to happen over the next hour and a half, and everything (and I mean everything) unrolls exactly as it should. There's nothing wrong with that, really... but if you're expecting a revisionist Unforgiven-style modern Western, don't hold your breath... this one's strictly by the book.
Member Reviews
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Alberta Never Looked So Good - MovieProf
"Open Range" is the second Western directed by Kevin Costner, and while it can't measure up to the glory that is "Dances with Wolves," it is a darn good yarn nonetheless. Shot in beautiful Alberta, there are countless scenes with vistas that seem too perfect ...It's 1955 Again! - MovieLover5
Well, not really, but this movie will remind viewers of a certain age of Westerns of that era. Good and evil are clearly established, the hero cowpoke is awkward in the presence of the heroine (but of course he'll win her in the end), there's the young guy ...Perfectly decent workmanlike Western - Shepherd
Solidly decent,with a great performance from Duvall and a ... consistent... showing from Costner; Open Range is a great movie to watch when you've got something else to do, because after the first half-hour you can expect either (a) spectacular scenery or ...