Open Range **** (2003, Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Diego Luna, Annette Bening, Michael Gambon) – Classic Movie Review 691

With director Kevin Costner’s 2003 movie Open Range, the old-style epic Western is back, at least for this one-off. And it’s a great one – as cattlemen Charley Waite and Boss Spearman (played by Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall) stand up against the tyranny (in the form of Michael Gambon’s evil Denton Baxter) that rules a frontier town.

Both main stars are on blazing form, giving memorable turns, and this tough, astounding-looking film delivers a devastating punch at the final-reel showdown.

Costner and Duvall really do feel at home on the range. Annette Bening co-stars as the ideal embodiment of the beautiful, warm-hearted, spirited Sue Barlow whom loner Charley meets. Diego Luna and Abraham Benrubi are helpful in support as Charley’s fellow cattlemen Mose Harrison and Button. James Russo (the sheriff), Dean McDermott and Kim Coates are also in the excellent, hand-picked cast.

James Munro’s cinematography is outstanding. Craig Storper’s excellent screenplay is based on the novel The Open Range Men by Lauran Paine.

Surprisingly, with Westerns (and Costner) out of fashion In 2003, it did very well at the box office. On a tight $26million budget, it grossed $58 million in the US alone. It’s certainly tough enough but not bloody. It has a 12 certificate and contains moderate bloody violence.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 691

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