Open Range (2003)

Featured Audience Ratings

• 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.

• Brad 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.

• 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.

• Cameron J

  
  Lengthy and not too eventful, the film is a slow-moving ride down a familiar path or at least until it hits a fork in the road and goes down a refreshing path, but before then, it's nothing terribly special. It is also plagued by a lack of development and expendable scenes. In… More
  Lengthy and not too eventful, the film is a slow-moving ride down a familiar path or at least until it hits a fork in the road and goes down a refreshing path, but before then, it's nothing terribly special. It is also plagued by a lack of development and expendable scenes. In spite of this, the film is supported by razor-sharp sound, lovely cinematography, a fine score and emotional resonanse. Also, let's not forget the climax, which features the only action sequence that just so happens to easily be one of the absolute greatest Western action sequences in cinematic history. This tense, climactic battle is worth the wait, boasting skull-pounding sound, mind-boggling quick edits and being well-shot, well-choreographed and - to put it less elegently, but more appropriately - full of "oh yeah"! Credit to the great Cyrus of Spill for coining the real term that I have shamelessly censored. Well, at least it's not as bad as the FX verison of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" changing a line from Bill Hader to "You've gotta get your poop together, man!" As for Costner, how low is his self-esteem that he's the sidekick in his own movie? No, but seriously though, though the film isn't totally original, Costner directs an atmosphere that feels refreshing, but it's the romance angle and other elements that really make it refreshing. As for the on-screen Kevin Costner, he gives one of his best performances and while that's not saying a whole lot, it's still nice to see him nail the emotional work and produce compelling chemistry with his castmates. For this crackling chemistry, we also have to thank Costner's co-stars Annette Bening and the legendary Robert Duvall for their also excellent performances. Costner's grand directorial vision and the solid performances by his castmates make this slow ride compelling and worth sitting through. Ultimately, though it isn't the most original or exciting Western in the catalogue, the handsome look, booming final act and fine story complemented by the emotional resonanse, solid performances and Costner's sharp direction make "Open Range" a genuinely enjoyable experience.

• Mark K

  
  This western is a realistic, small scale range war story told through the eyes of a couple of veteran cowboys. Well cast (one of Costner's best roles), and well directed by him, it belongs to a new genre of realistic westerns. It's an under-appreciated film, with great… More
  This western is a realistic, small scale range war story told through the eyes of a couple of veteran cowboys. Well cast (one of Costner's best roles), and well directed by him, it belongs to a new genre of realistic westerns. It's an under-appreciated film, with great scenic beauty that really captures the feel of the undeveloped west. Annette Bening is also excellent (bravely playing her age); and she makes a nice counterpoint to Costner. Robert Duvall also gives another distinctive performance, and nicely balances Costner as well. It's action sequences are brutal and realistic. Truth: You can't hit a damn thing with those Colts past a few yards! While the story is Shane-like, it avoids the cliches of most westerns about gunslingers searching for a more peaceful existence. It's not grand or epic, but you really grow to like the characters and the dialogue is well done, with Costner and Duvall totally believable. Only moderately paced, it is an explosion of action at times, with tension spaced out through the film. It's not melodramatic, either, so the believability factor that a small scale conflict like this probably could have occurred is reinforced. An enjoyable film all around, even if you're not a western fan. Recommended

• Alec B

  
  I have some issues with the plot that meanders for most of the first half, but the final gun battle is truly magnificent in its execution and is really the only reason to watch this.

• ashley h

  
  One of the better modern westerns. Love Duvall-can't go wrong if he's working on your ranch.

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