Appaloosa (R-2008)

Ed Harris wrote (co-wrote the screenplay), directed and stars in this adaptation of a Robert B. Parker novel. Harris plays Virgil Cole, a "lawman for hire" in the Old West. He is brought in, along with his traveling Deputy, Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen), to clean up the frontier town of Appaloosa. The most recent sheriff is missing (after being killed in the opening scene) and the town is being controlled by lawless rancher Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons). Cole asserts himself right away by taking out two unruly thugs in the saloon, who happen to work for Bragg, setting up the conflict that the movie centers around. Things get even more complicated when widow Allison French (Renee Zelwegger) arrives in town and Cole takes an instant liking to her. This is a classic western with the good guys vs. bad guys, but with the added layer of deep, complex characters. They are not as black and white as they seem. The four principals make up a really great cast and all play their roles beautifully. Viggo Mortensen is showing great versatility as he looks and acts different every time I see him. One of the more interesting wrinkle is the Allison French character, who is never quite what she seems. While Cole is completely smitten with her, you are never quite sure where her loyalty lies. His deputy, Hitch, does not trust her and fears the relationship could end badly for Cole. If you haven't figured it out, I really enjoyed this movie. It has many of the classic western themes, but still manages to find some good new twists. Irons is also very good as the cold, calculated Randall Bragg (wonder if it is a coincidence that his name closely resembles Stephen King's "ultimate evil" character, Randall Flagg, from "The Stand"). For Western enthusiasts, this is absolutely worth a look.

Grade: B

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