Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  You can't beat a good Western and Open Range is a good Western. It has all that a modern Western has over the old westerns but with the heart of a classic western. The performances are strong, the direction is sound, the attention to detail is perfect and it's pretty light… More
  You can't beat a good Western and Open Range is a good Western. It has all that a modern Western has over the old westerns but with the heart of a classic western. The performances are strong, the direction is sound, the attention to detail is perfect and it's pretty light on cliches. Best of all though, it has a great script, the relationships are both believable and honest, the supporting characters aren't all drunk gun-slingers either which is nice, it was also nice to see a confrontation in a busy cafe rather than a rough saloon. Costner gets the pace of the story just right, he develops his characters and in turn builds the conclusion of the film with just the right level of intensity and intrigue so that the climax does not disappoint.

• Universal D

  
  As a Western character study you couldn't do much better, the give and take between Duvall and Costner, the old man and the kid (10 years on), the glue holding the piece, with Bening doing very well as a strong frontier woman. And Gambon is a surprise as the ruthless cattle… More
  As a Western character study you couldn't do much better, the give and take between Duvall and Costner, the old man and the kid (10 years on), the glue holding the piece, with Bening doing very well as a strong frontier woman. And Gambon is a surprise as the ruthless cattle baron. Well worth your time.

• Albert K

  
  Story: Super boring Final shootout scene? One of the greatest western action set-pieces of all time. Watch for that scene and that scene alone.

• Emil K

  
  Hard hitting and gorgeous western that truly has some great moments. This is Costners best work to date and he finally hit the right notes. Sure the script has some needless subplots, but overall it works very well. A Worth to see and one of the best westerns of our times.

• Chris W

  
  I've seen this a few times, so I can't believe that I hadn't reviewed this on here until now. Odd. Anyways, Kevin Costner returns to the western as actor and director for this finely observed rehashing of a tale of revenge and redemption. It's a contemporary film,… More
  I've seen this a few times, so I can't believe that I hadn't reviewed this on here until now. Odd. Anyways, Kevin Costner returns to the western as actor and director for this finely observed rehashing of a tale of revenge and redemption. It's a contemporary film, but has the feel of an old school western. The story is set in Montana in 1882 (though it was filmed in Canada) and uses the range wars as the historical backdrop and context. Good choice. For those who don't know, the range wars were a series of conflicts during the late 1800s where free range ranchers competed with land barons who tried to use barbed wire to section off land and created a closed off empire for economic gain. In this film, the story follows a veteran free range cattleman (Robert Duvall) and his crew (Costner, Abraham Benrubi, and Diego Luna) as the come into conflict with a crooked land baron (Michael Gambon) and corrupt law of a small but prospering town. It's all pretty simple stuff, and the broad plot is not very original, but it's all done pretty well, and it's a fairly solid piece of work. It's not perfect, as it kinda takes some time ot get going, and a romantic subplot between Costner's Charley and Annette Bening's character is a little awkward and sloppily handled, but other than that, this is a pretty engaging and entertaining piece of work. It's got some great cinematography, a nice mixture of philosophizing and humor injected into the drama and action, and the film's centerpiece: a drawn out shoot out between the baron's men and the open rangers is a masterful setpiece in its own right. I just love how it was staged, shot, and edited. It's very suspenseful, and you can actually tell what the heck is going on, unlike too many contemporary action scenes. All in all, this is a nice piece of work. It is flawed, but the direction, camerawork, and especially the performances (especially Duvall's) really make up for it. Give it a watch. If Costner never directs another film, then this is a fine way to wrap up that portion of his career.

• Tim S

  
  Many of my friends have called this one of the best westerns of the last quarter century, and I would have to agree with them. At first glance, Open Range may seem like a Lonesome Dove-type film (even though I like Lonesome Dove), but it's something else entirely. I would almost… More
  Many of my friends have called this one of the best westerns of the last quarter century, and I would have to agree with them. At first glance, Open Range may seem like a Lonesome Dove-type film (even though I like Lonesome Dove), but it's something else entirely. I would almost call it Costner's best work. Some might argue that Dances with Wolves holds that title, but I would like to disagree. The film winds itself up to a climax toward the middle of the film and then winds back down again. In other words, it literally goes up hill, reaches the top and then goes back to the bottom, so it's unique in that sense. The action is intense, the love story isn't contrived or wishy washy and the performances are very effective - from everyone. It's definitely one to seek out. I think it's a bit under-appreciated and deserves more attention so give it some love.

• Jani H

  
  "Well, if I'm gonna get killed, I got a hankerin' to soothe my sweet tooth." The western genre isn't doing that well anymore. After Kevin Costner's 'Dances With the Wolves' and Clint Eastwood's 'Unforgiven', it's been kinda… More
  "Well, if I'm gonna get killed, I got a hankerin' to soothe my sweet tooth." The western genre isn't doing that well anymore. After Kevin Costner's 'Dances With the Wolves' and Clint Eastwood's 'Unforgiven', it's been kinda slow for the cowboys. It took over a decade before a considerable western was made. It wasnt' a big surprise that Costner did it. He really seems to have the ability to capture the magic of the era. 'Open Range' tells the story of two free-range cattlemen, who get in to trouble with a local land baron. He hates the way of these free-rangers who "steal and destroy" his lands (these kinda conflicts weren't that unusual in the late 19th century and several westerns were made in the golden era of westerns in the 40's and 50's). Things result in terrible ways, which leads to Boss Spearman (Duvall) and Charley Waite (Costner) prepare to defend themselves and to get some justice. 'Open Range' is a typical western, from the storyline point of view. Costner has yet managed to increase the suspense towards the end finale and capture the "old spirit" of westerns. The story develops in a calm way but doesn't fail to be draging or boring. Costner has given plenty of time for character development, revealing glimpses of the two main characters past. There are a few complaints regarding the movie. 'Open Range' could've been edited some minutes shorter by not adding a useless sub plot regarding Costner's and Annette Bening's characters relationship. There are some scenes, not gonna mention when and where for spoilers, that have some very queasy and implausible dialogue. It just didn't work that well. The cinematography of 'Open Range' is beautiful with longlasting shots of the beautiful landscape. Jim Muro has also managed to capture the tension of the shootout. The shootout is by the way one of the best I've seen. I've mentioned lately in my reviews the word realistic. This does look realistic and Muro has had some terrific eye for capturing it all on the big screen. Nicely choreographed by the way. 'Open Range' is one of the better westerns I've seen, eventhough it doesn't deliver anything new to the genre. Nice chemistry between the two main characters, good dialogue between them and all together good acting by the actors. Considerable westerns haven't been made that many lately (3:10 to Yuma), so 'Open Range' is a welcomed addition to a genre that needs some glimpse of hope.

• Jim C

  
  A perfect western film. Open Range is one of the few westerns ive seen that were perfect. Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner are masterful and truly were believable and you could tell they worked hard. The plot is a tale of redemption, and how they would spend there last days alive.… More
  A perfect western film. Open Range is one of the few westerns ive seen that were perfect. Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner are masterful and truly were believable and you could tell they worked hard. The plot is a tale of redemption, and how they would spend there last days alive. The action was amazing as well and I enjoyed how they saved it all for the end to make the climax more memorable. Such an amazing film.

• Mike S

  
  Slow-going in the first half, but a beautifully made Western marked by excellent acting and incredibly stunning backdrops. Not as good as Costner's other directing achievement in the genre, <i>Dances with Wolves</i>, but just as spellbinding to the eyes. It's… More
  Slow-going in the first half, but a beautifully made Western marked by excellent acting and incredibly stunning backdrops. Not as good as Costner's other directing achievement in the genre, <i>Dances with Wolves</i>, but just as spellbinding to the eyes. It's become evident that he's found his strong suit in the Old West, and I hope he continues to make more of the same. Watch it on Blu-ray if you get the opportunity, because this is the type of movie said format was made for. A visual banquet, that oozes quality all over.

• Dan S

  
  A solid, respectable Western that features a couple of terrific performances, a well-drawn conclusion, and one of the best kill-shots captured in cinema. It doesn't quite contain the darkness nor bleakness that makes "Unforgiven" and "The Proposition" such… More
  A solid, respectable Western that features a couple of terrific performances, a well-drawn conclusion, and one of the best kill-shots captured in cinema. It doesn't quite contain the darkness nor bleakness that makes "Unforgiven" and "The Proposition" such special films, but Costner definitely has a feel for how a Western should be constructed and naturally developed. Stick around for the ending if nothing else, I'm not kidding you, the kill-shot Costner lays on an unabashed villain is quite awesome.

• Jason S

  
  A great western and a well made movie. Costner directs this story well and really lets the actors become the characters. The story about how he made the flick and what he was going through is pretty interesting as well. There were only a few things in the flick that I thought were on… More
  A great western and a well made movie. Costner directs this story well and really lets the actors become the characters. The story about how he made the flick and what he was going through is pretty interesting as well. There were only a few things in the flick that I thought were on the weak side but the rest of the action and story make up for the few small faults.

• Al S

  
  Robert Duvall is superb, one of his best performances. Kevin Costner is excellent. Some of his finest work as a director and an actor. A gripping, epic, compelling and great western. Wonderful settings and awsome action. Some of the best and well-crafted gunfights on film. A triumph.

• Tim S

  
  Nice shootout sequences and Duvall is always great, but the Annette Bening story line is useless.

• Lenny M

  
  Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall actually make a good team, descent western flick in the Costner "long as balls" formula.

• Arash X

  
  No place to run. No reason to hide. (Tl)

• danny d

  
  Editing could have been better, but ultimately this is my favorite western of all time. the anticipation built up during a slow but eventful film sets the perfect scene for one of the best sequences in film history at the end of the film. accurate and thoughtful, this is a must see… More
  Editing could have been better, but ultimately this is my favorite western of all time. the anticipation built up during a slow but eventful film sets the perfect scene for one of the best sequences in film history at the end of the film. accurate and thoughtful, this is a must see film.

• Dean M

  
  This is bold, compelling and brilliant western ever made. Director-actor successfully brings back the epic western as the best film since <i>Dances With Wolves</i>. It's a bit familiar between two different western film, <i>Wyatt Earp</i> and <i>Pale… More
  This is bold, compelling and brilliant western ever made. Director-actor successfully brings back the epic western as the best film since <i>Dances With Wolves</i>. It's a bit familiar between two different western film, <i>Wyatt Earp</i> and <i>Pale Rider</i>. Costner and Robert Duvall are the best team-up in their gunfights against evil rancher and his men.

• Dean !

  
  Recent quality western that many may have missed. Check it out!

• Bradley W

  
  A perfect western film. Open Range is one of the few westerns ive seen that were perfect. Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner are masterful and truly were believable and you could tell they worked hard. The plot is a tale of redemption, and how they would spend there last days alive.… More
  A perfect western film. Open Range is one of the few westerns ive seen that were perfect. Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner are masterful and truly were believable and you could tell they worked hard. The plot is a tale of redemption, and how they would spend there last days alive. The action was amazing as well and I enjoyed how they saved it all for the end to make the climax more memorable. Such an amazing film.

• Matthew Y

  
  All credits go to Kevin Costner's directing and J. Michael Muro's cinematography for making this film a beautiful film to behold and a minor western classic. The story is a bit plain and the performances and good without being great, Open Range is an example of the whole… More
  All credits go to Kevin Costner's directing and J. Michael Muro's cinematography for making this film a beautiful film to behold and a minor western classic. The story is a bit plain and the performances and good without being great, Open Range is an example of the whole being greater than the sum of it's parts. Costner certainly has miss stepped in his directing career but the man has proven once again he's a more than competent director.

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