There are particular actors that just seem to fit a little too well in certain movies. It’s like they were made to be living in the genre that inhabit on screen which adds to the precious realism that I covet in film. The western genre is one that I have a longstanding enjoyment of, no matter the subject matter. So while we equate westerns with gunfights, lots of brooding from a disdained hero and more gunfights, the harshness of the open plains leaves a bit more room to look upon the land and oneself. Appaloosa is more than just gunfights and killing, but a chance to build and flesh out the characters in the harsh western setting.
Bragg (Jeremy Irons) is a rancher who believes himself to be above the law, a stance that’s forever cemented when he guns down the town sheriff and his deputy in cold blood. Horrified, the defenseless townspeople pray for the day a savior will arrive in town to free them from Bragg’s suffocating grasp. Soon thereafter, Virgil (Harris) and Everett (Viggo Mortensen) stride into town atop two mighty steeds, their confident presence signaling the beginning of a new era if the locals will only grant Virgil the complete power he needs to bring Bragg to justice. After pinning on his new badge, Virgil appoints Everett his deputy and ushers in an era of uneasy peace. Later, a woman named Allison (Renée Zellweger) arrives in town and catches Virgil’s eye, prompting a die-hard renegade to consider a calm life of domestication. As Virgil’s feelings for Allison grow, both begin to wonder if a life together is truly in the cards. Meanwhile, a temporarily subdued Bragg begins to display signs that he may not be finished with this town just yet. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
I couldn’t think of three perfect actors to place in this film. I mentioned above in the opening about finding actors that just fit in the time and era of the film. Viggo, Harris and Irons seem like they belong in the western era. Brooding, somber, rugged and malicious in some respects, it’s the embodiment of the western genre that these actors have. It works so well for the movie, having such gravitas and storied actors inhabiting the film. This is a much slower movie than the trailer as lead on to be. While there are gunfights and death, it’s more of a character study for both Virgil and Everett, each with a past that never fully comes to light.
Ed Harris taking a chance at writing and directing this film pays off very well. While not a film that will be in the pantheon of westerns, it is still a great look at the people of the film. His role as Virgil is layered and weathered from the years of being a town tamer and a man who doesn’t like to kill anymore. He seeks comfort in the bosom of needy women, like a perpetually helpless princess. The rough and rugged renegade searching for the one thing that will keep him from taking off on another chase. Everett is an interesting character as the movie is sort of told through his eyes and what he experiences along the journey with Virgil. Viggo couldn’t have been a more perfect choice for the role. Any chance for him to play some rugged outlaw or stoic hero is ok in my books. Everett has his own complications, but the thing about his character is that he reflect more on the life of Virgil, almost looking at his life as a mirror for his own.
Both characters are perfect for one another with years of history never coming to light, but hints at what they have done in the past shine through their current predicament. It’s a strong role that both turn in for this movie and the directing from Harris is fantastic, capturing the essence of their characters. But the heroes need someone to channel all that retribution on and in comes Jeremy Irons. A man who believes he is above the law and in a lot of ways, are much like the main heroes. Bragg does evil to benefit himself, but tries to transform in the end, much like Virgil looking to settle down and forget his ways.
Overall this is a solid movie, fantastic acting and another good entry into the western genre. Having such quality acting really sets this movie apart from a lot of others in the genre and I love any movie that has Irons as a villain. This movie does away with the standard character archetypes, while they are there in spirit, the role of good and evil are embodied by the actors and the setting of the film is as harsh as the decisions that they have to make.
*all images via
Advertisement
