Movie Review Appaloosa

Appaloosa A new western. The genre simply will not die, and I for one, am delighted. This one is based on the Novel of the same name, and stars, is directed by, and was co-written for the screen by, Ed Harris. We love Ed Harris. It also stars Rene Zellweger, Vigo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons and Lance Henriksen and a host of other excellent character actors.
It takes place in the 1880’s in the New Mexico Territory. Right away that makes it worth watching. I love the geology and landscape of New Mexico. The story is a classic western tale. Two men, beginning to age, are long-time partners, making a living as temporary lawmen, cleaning up towns where the law is far away. Ed Harris is Virgil Cole, the leader, and Vigo Mortensen is Everett Hitch, his faithful, more-than-competent side-kick.
They are hired to clean-up a town being besieged by Jeremy Irons, an ambitious rancher who has murdered the marshal and his two deputies. Rene Zellweger arrives, a recent widow, and muddies the water.
At first, I thought it was going to be just a rip-off of Lonesome Dove, with the two iconic lawmen, one wound too tight and the other too loose, but the relationship, despite a few obvious similarities to Gus And Call, is complicated and has nuances of its own.
The characters are wonderful, complex, and full of pathos. (You like that word? I heard it on a Peter Paul and Mary album) The drama is excellent; with good pacing and suspense. The action is great, although it cannot be described as an action movie. It is in the same vein as The Unforgiving.
Cole, the hard-nosed, unbending, fearless lawman, has seen it all and knows he is better than the rest. Everett is more easy-going, understanding, and better educated. His character seems to me to be the most interesting. But he is clearly a follower, content to let Cole lead, despite his own superior skills. Vigo Mortensen, as Everett, is great. I loved the character. The story is complicated. The scenery is magical. The sets and costumes are authentic. Little things make the difference. The Indians they encounter are Chiricahua, which is correct for that part of the world, and they are from the San Carlos tribe, which is accurate as well. The San Carlos were some of the last to surrender to a reservation, and were raiding that part of the world at the time the story takes place. I like accuracy.
This is a superior movie. Not perfect, but well worth seeing. It has strong language, nudity, and fairly graphic violence, and is rated R. Nita would like it without the cussing and naked Rene.