Open Range (2003)

[Tucumcari Bound]

Update: Sister loves it, too.

Well marmota, your sister has good taste as you do. "Open Range" is memorable indeed and gets better with repeated viewings. The ending may drag on a bit with the love story but it doesn't bother me all that much as it does with some people. I think its a very well made film and has many classic moments.

[marmota-b]

She loved it so much that she bought her own copy and even bought another one for her friend. I hope her friend will like it, too. Let the love for westerns grow! They're indeed not dead yet.

[Tucumcari Bound]

She loved it so much that she bought her own copy and even bought another one for her friend. I hope her friend will like it, too. Let the love for westerns grow! They're indeed not dead yet.

And they will never die. 

[marmota-b]

Sealed.

[Tucumcari Bound]

Sealed.

and delivered. 

[titoli]

 I wonder what the romance is put there for: to attract female viewers or just because american filmakers think that AW must have it because it is supposed to confer a realistic touch? And why a movie must be longer than 2 hours? I think 90' is more than enough. The Costner "Vietnam Vet" character grows with the movie, but it's Duvall who dominates the scenes.  Not as good as Broken Trail but still worth a 7\10.   I'll check Lonesome Dove asap.

[Sonny]

I wonder what the romance is put there for: to attract female viewers or just because american filmakers think that AW must have it because it is supposed to confer a realistic touch?

That's something I find very interesting as well.

The Spaghetti western seemed to be directed for the leisure of men, primarily, but perhaps it wasn't something that was done on purpose. Most women find romance in films to be essential, at least so they can enjoy the film, which is why most women don't find spaghetti westerns to be that interesting, seeing as the romantic aspect in SWs is kept to a minimum and many SWs don't even bother with it at all (I've actually talked to some women about this and they agree). So American westerns show a contrast to that, because the film makers acknowledge that their target audience will include a large number of women, and most women who like westerns (including my mother) enjoy American westerns more than they enjoy SWs, and I know that has a lot to do with the romantic element of AWs.

[moviesceleton]

Just an idea, but could somebody name a romantic movie where action is included just to please the male audience?

[Sonny]

Just an idea, but could somebody name a romantic movie where action is included just to please the male audience?

I think the question is... what films have a pre-emphasis on romance over action vs. which have a pre-emphasis on action over romance

But naming a few that might fit the first category:

Casablanca
Rear Window
Forrest Gump
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Rebecca

[dave jenkins]

I think the question is... what films have a pre-emphasis on romance over action vs. which have a pre-emphasis on action over romance

But naming a few that might fit the first category:

Casablanca
Rear Window
Forrest Gump
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Rebecca

I'm not sure "action" is the appropriate word for any of these, with maybe the exception of RW. Interestingly, in that case the love story and the murder detection story parallel and complement each other. But because Jimmy Stewart is temporarily indisposed, the legwork must be done by Grace Kelly. She becomes an action heroine by necessity when she goes into the dragon's lair and struggles with him for possession of the "treasure." Interestingly, Stewart's injury feminizes him in terms of his role. He is the one being threatened when Kelly returns with the police to save him.

I'd actually claim a third category for this film to occupy: one where action and romance are in perfect balance.

[The Firecracker]

I'm not sure "action" is the appropriate word for any of these, with maybe the exception of RW.

And FG and CCOBB for the war sequences.

[marmota-b]

because it is supposed to confer a realistic touch?

I've always thought it was the other way round...

[O'Cangaceiro]

This is a very well made western. I truly enjoyed watching it.  Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Anette Bening, Abraham Benrubi, Diego Luna, etc all played great roles.

8/10

[The Firecracker]

I like it too but a recent showing brought my attention to a real big problem.
When they leave their cattle out on the range... who's watching them?
They just left the herd there in the middle of a storm?
Did they at least corral them first?
I didn't see any property they had to do so.

[cigar joe]

I like it too but a recent showing brought my attention to a real big problem.
When they leave their cattle out on the range... who's watching them?
They just left the herd there in the middle of a storm?
Did they at least corral them first?
I didn't see any property they had to do so.

I think they have a herd instinct to cluster together during storms, if I remember right the big blizzard of 98 or 89 when a lot were killed they were dead in clusters under the drifts.