“What does the western genre represent to me? First of all, it is inseparable from our country, America. Knowing that America was founded by Europeans. I don’t think that anyone but an American will accept me as anything else, and I fully admit it. : This is who I am.
That doesn’t stop me from enjoying the rest of the world and traveling to see how other countries work, but I’m still an American. That’s why I regularly feel the need to return to Western.”
This is what Kevin Costner, whom we had the pleasure of meeting in 2016, told us. Westerns are truly inseparable from his filmography. And the image of the actor-director, who has not stopped returning to the genre since the Silverado Stetson debut in 1985. Let’s judge: Wolves with Wolves, Wyatt Earp, mini-Hatfields & McCoys series, Yellowstone. .. Even Les Incorruptibles or Revenge clearly have a “Western” dimension, despite their apparent modernity.
We wouldn’t be remiss if we didn’t mention the huge Open range that came out almost twenty years ago. Story ? Classic as we like it. In the middle of the Wild West, four men herd cattle. For Charlie (Kevin Costner), Boss (Robert Duvall), Master (Diego Luna) and Moses (Abraham Benrub), it’s all about living free and escaping the past. They do not seek violence, they follow a code of honor, loyalty and justice. But their arrival in Harmonville, a small town under the control of the tyrant Baxter (Michael Gambon), forces them to take action…
Eastwood’s unrelenting big theatrical success allowed the Western to make a brief appearance and was followed by other films, with varying degrees of success. But the soufflé was pretty quickly back to square one, having difficulty convincing Hollywood decision-makers to finance the film.
“Take an option on this book It was pure madness, considering that Hollywood didn’t want this genre of cinema.” In 2003, the film’s screenwriter Craig Storper commented. “The last real success in this area was relentless, more than a decade ago. You really have to believe the story and find partners who are willing to tell it with you.”
as at that time dances with wolveswhich Costner defended almost single-handedly against all Open the range For only $22 million, through his company Tig Productions, he was able to produce outside of the major Hollywood studios. Almost $70 million at the worldwide box office is no insult, but it clearly deserved more.
A gritty western with sublime photography, a tribute to the past masters of a genre that has fallen into disuse, but which nevertheless shaped American history and its myth of the great outdoors. Open the range Among the all-rounders of the modern western, it also stands out for the mastery of the final score. Here, not heroes, men are really afraid to die on the high street and often miss their targets. But when they hit the mark, it really, really hurts…
If you haven’t seen this great movie yet, you know what to do. Open the range Available on VOD as well as DVD/Blu-ray.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
