I have not watched or read westerns since I was about 10 years old - many years ago. However, I happened upon this on television this evening, and had heard of the title so I watched. The presence of Ed Harris and Amy Madigan was also persuasive. I'd liked Madigan in Twice in a Lifetime 15 years ago, and hadn't seen her in anything since. And when Harris fights so hard and long to make a movie about the life of artist Jackson Pollock, he must care very much about the sort of movie and script he'll do - his presence thus becomes a sort of guaranty of a fine movie. He and Madigan were the executive producers of this made for cable movie.
I'd heard of Zane Grey of course - as I had of Louis Lamour or Bret Harte. But that's it - I haven't read any of their books and had no particular interest. Gee, if Zane Grey is THIS good, I've got to start reading!
There is an uncompromising ferocity to this movie that is arresting - yet it all seems quite real. What if everyone in the town is rotten but the heroine doesn't believe it, has reasons of her own for holding to the town and deferring to its authority, loves her horses and property, and there is no law enforcement? It's an interesting concept that I don't think I've seen before in any kind of movie, Western or not.
Madigan's hesitation to believe ill of the town is so apparent, her reluctance to break with it so real - this is what makes the movie for me - but I'm sure for some it will be more Harris's character's change which is also very moving. The two are really fine.
It's spectacularly beautiful, and there's a LOT going on - lots from the past intruding into the present, various groups of people with differing allegiances, romantic subplots. The last scenes - thinking of what will happen to Madigan and Harris after the movie ends - is very powerful.
I'd heard of Zane Grey of course - as I had of Louis Lamour or Bret Harte. But that's it - I haven't read any of their books and had no particular interest. Gee, if Zane Grey is THIS good, I've got to start reading!
There is an uncompromising ferocity to this movie that is arresting - yet it all seems quite real. What if everyone in the town is rotten but the heroine doesn't believe it, has reasons of her own for holding to the town and deferring to its authority, loves her horses and property, and there is no law enforcement? It's an interesting concept that I don't think I've seen before in any kind of movie, Western or not.
Madigan's hesitation to believe ill of the town is so apparent, her reluctance to break with it so real - this is what makes the movie for me - but I'm sure for some it will be more Harris's character's change which is also very moving. The two are really fine.
It's spectacularly beautiful, and there's a LOT going on - lots from the past intruding into the present, various groups of people with differing allegiances, romantic subplots. The last scenes - thinking of what will happen to Madigan and Harris after the movie ends - is very powerful.