All The Pretty Horses
(PG-13)
reviewed by Christopher Lyon
They don't make westerns much any more. This one gets a little rough in parts-and it's not for everyone-but it might be Matt Damon's best performance ever. And if you like the great outdoors, you won't be able to take your eyes off the huge images that fill the screen.
John Grady Cole (Damon) has grown up on a large ranch in west Texas. When his grandfather dies and the ranch is sold, Cole and his friend Lacey Rawlins (E.T.'s Henry Thomas) set out to be real cowboys in Mexico. Set in the late 40's, the film follows them south on horseback as they meet up with a 16-year-old running from home on a big, beautiful horse. After parting company with him (I'm trying not to give much away), they find work on a huge horse ranch owned by a powerful man.
Cole proves himself as a good horseman, earning the owner's trust. But when he falls in love with the owner's daughter (Penelope Cruz)-and is then forbidden to see her by her strict and traditional aunt-things begin to fall apart. Eventually, Cole and Rawlins wind up in a Mexican penitentiary fighting for their lives.
"All the Pretty Horses" is long, slow, and beautiful to look at. Director Billy Bob Thorton (yes, that guy) captures giant landscapes of clouds, sunlight, and horses. He somehow manages to fill the screen with the same kind of color and light when shooting close-ups of his actors' faces. The accents-both Texan and Mexican-are thick and authentic. And the acting-especially from Damon-never feels forced. His character comes across as both strong and humble with very little dialog.
The story is quite an adventure, but this is no action movie. It's more like a western art film made by a Texan. There are plenty of subtitles. The characters make long, uncut speeches. We get lots of shots of horses galloping in full stride under odd lighting. Strange flashbacks and slow-motion sequences sometimes interrupt the story-telling.
But the old-fashioned idea that a man should live by some kind of a moral code (even if it's not a biblical one) is refreshing. Cole always tries to do what he believes is right-even if it costs him. When he fails to do the right thing, he struggles with regret.
"Horses" does contain its share of PG-13 language and some sex scenes (nothing specific shown) between Damon and Cruz. For some, the prison scenes could be troubling. But at one point, Damon's character says something encouraging. He never claims to know much about God or heaven, but he does figure that God must be watching out for people. The implication is that no one could survive if He wasn't. What a great place to start a conversation about God with a non-Christian friend if you ever happen to be discussing the movie.
Again, some people will be bored by this film. But I'm guessing it will get lots of attention at awards time, especially for Damon, Billy Bob, and the cinematographer. Imagine that. An award-winning cowboy art film. Who'd a thunk it?
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