The Return of the Epic Western
Costner Rides High on the Open Range

The cinematography is slow and deliberate. The vistas are stunning in their pristine beauty. The story is simple and yet deeply emotional. For Kevin Costner, whose last several films have failed to be box office sensations, Open Range may be the magic formula to return him to stardom, both behind the camera and in front of it.

Costner stars as Charley Waite, a cowboy working a herd of cattle on the free range with Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall). The local rancher, Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon), doesn't take kindly to free-grazers (those who herd cattle over the open range to graze). Baxter makes trouble for Spearman and Waite. Because the local sheriff is in Baxter's pocket, Spearman and Waite decide to eke out their own brand of justice.

Entering into the story is Sue Barlow (Annette Bening) as the sister of the local doctor. Her soft demeanor is a reminder of the road not traveled for Charley, and Boss seems intent on reminding him that there are options for a man, even one who isn't as young as he once was. She brings out a tenderness in Charley that makes him more vulnerable at times, more ferocious at others. When leaving to meet Baxter and his men, Charley tells her "Men are gonna get killed here today, Sue. I'm going to kill 'em." In doing so, he makes it clear that his hands are no cleaner than Baxter's. "I don't have a problem with killing," he tells Boss.

As a Western, Open Range does more than offer a showdown of good against evil. The characters are more complex than that. Rather than being a story of ranchers vs. free-grazers, the story is elevated to one of personal freedoms. Boss is not willing to fight for cattle, but "one man telling another man where he can go in this country is something else." This simple sentiment is the heart of the film.

The story is powerful and intriguing, but the slow pacing is not for the summer action crowd. The plot unfolds carefully, building carefully, methodically, toward the inevitable climax. After a summer of mind-numbing sequels and special-effect laden bonanza's, the simplicity in story and style of Open Range is both breathtaking and refreshing.

As of late, Costner has been known for a string of critically panned films such as Dragonfly (2002), 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001), The Postman (1997) and Waterworld (1995). In fact, ever since his often maligned portrayal of Robin Hood in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Costner has had a decade of hit and miss films that offered only moderate box office success. While the merits of these works may be debated (I loved The Postman and will defend it until my dying day), the numbers speak for themselves. Costner needs a hit, and he may have found it.

MY RATING: 8 out of 10.

RATED: R
RUN TIME: 135 min.