Cannes 2024: we saw Horizon, Kevin Costner’s great return to the western

Horizon : Kevin Costner and his American saga

Horizon: An American Saga it is one of the most ambitious projects of recent years. Let’s go back to directing, 20 years later Open field, Kevin Costner has decided to tell, by investing part of his money, a part of the history of America – a period of 15 years, before and after the Civil War –, through (at least) two impressive feature films. A first chapter scheduled for July 3rd, and a second for September 11th. Since the first work lasted three hours, we said to ourselves that this fresco had everything to be monumental, in good memory of Dancing with Wolves (1990). Unfortunately, it is difficult to be truly dazzled by the first part of this couplet, which premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival out of competition.

However, it is not for lack of means. With superb American landscapescostumes and sets suited to the genre and a quality cast, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 ticks all the big movie boxes. This cast consists of, among others, Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, Will Patton and Ella Hunt. We could have continued the list for a long time, because Horizon hasa multitude of protagonists. Except, even in a three-hour film, it’s difficult to make them all exist. This is the main flaw ofHorizonwho constantly switches between characters to tell different stories, without being able to detain anyone.

A season condensed into 3 hours

Thus we find a mother and her daughter, taking refuge in a military camp after the massacre of the settlers by the Apaches. A lone cowboy who meets a prostitute and finds himself in a revenge affair. But also a group of men who, under the pretext of revenge for the Apaches, will go Indian scalps are a sordid trade. Not to mention a community traveling across the desert to reach the next town. And the exile of a tribe of Indians after a disagreement with the chief.

We understand Kevin Costner’s desire to deliver a broad portrait of America in the making. To show good and evil, but above all the violence of men and the ease of generalizing, both among the indigenous and among the settlers. Of course, some protagonists stand out from the crowd and have the right to do so some semblance of a narrative arc. But there is a real distance that is created between them and the viewer. We won’t hear from you then never involved, despite the horrors that may be shown or the moments of emotion. An emotion which, moreover, is often highlighted too much, especially by the omnipresent music, or by Kevin Costner’s directorial choices border on banality.

However, after three hours of film, the desire to see more remains. Why Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 in the end it seems like a great introduction. You also have the impression of watching a series with a division that could be made into several episodes marked by ellipses. We never really know if days, weeks, or months have passed when we move from one scene to the next. All this to conclude with a spiteful followed with confusing images from chapter 2, as the trailer for the second season reveals to us. Images that promise moments of great drama for each of the protagonists, which could, once again, be spread over many hours (for the moment four films have been mentioned). Will it all be exciting? Certainly not. But will we be there to witness the entire Kevin Costner fresco? Obviously.

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 was presented out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The film will be released in theaters soon.

Source: Cine Serie

Ray

Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.