Director: Tommy Lee Jones
Writer: Tommy Lee Jones, Kieran Fitzgerald, Wesley A Oliver (Screenplay) Glendon Swartout (Novel)
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter, Jo Harvey Allen
Plot: Three women who have been driven mad by pioneer life are to be transported across the country by covered wagon by the pious, independent-minded Mary Bee Cuddy, who in turn employs low-life drifter George Briggs to assist her.
Tagline – The untold story of The West.
Runtime: 2 Hours 2 Minutes
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Nicely Paced Drama
Story: The Homesman starts as independent-minded Mary Bee Cuddy (Swank) steps up where the men of her town wouldn’t and accepts taking three women Arabella (Gummer), Theoline (Otto) and Gro (Richter) across the west back to their homes after their husbands claim them to be crazy.
Mary is join by a lowlife drifter George Briggs (Jones) whose life she saves, with this being payment for saving the life. The journey is going to be filled with perils as we slowly learn what caused these women to act the way they did.
Thoughts on The Homesman
Characters – Mary Bee Cuddy lives a single life due to her independence she has created, she is branded bossy and is willing to step up, where the men wouldn’t. She agrees to take the three women across the river to return them home where they could get the help they need. This is a journey she is proud to take but isn’t the fully prepared for what she will face, relying on God to guide her. George Briggs is a lowlife drifter who has been left to hang for his crimes, Mary saves him and he becomes the guide through the troubles on the journey. The three women that are being transported have their own reasons for being branded crazy, mostly due to the abuse they have suffered.
Performances – The performances in this movie are carried by two powerhouses, Hilary Swank shines in the leading role, something we have seen from her for years now. Tommy Lee Jones takes double duty here, the acting he gives us is just what you expect while his work behind the camera shows that he can do both the roles. The three actresses playing the ill women are good showing their own strain from what has happened to their characters.
Story – The story follows the journey across America to return three women that have struggled to adapt to new life in the growing America, one woman will risk it all to guide the women home with an unlikely partner on the journey sees him needing overcome the conditions and enemies to make it. We do have a faith-based character driving forward and we look at mental illness before it was considered a known issue in the western land. This does feel like a safe story to be telling, while being just an important.
Western – The western land has always look beautiful, it has always had character that must look out for themselves, this is no different with how everything unfolds without needing to resort to gun fire.
Settings – Th settings look beautiful, the open plains, the different weather conditions will make this one of the best looking movies of the year.
Scene of the Movie – Hotel problems.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – It is slower than you will be expecting.
Final Thoughts –This is a beautiful drama that has a wonderful story to watch unfold, powerful performances throughout and stunning scenery.
Overall: Western fans to enjoy.
Rating
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