Open Range (2003)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Kevin Costner

Writers (WGA):

Lauran Paine (novel)
Craig Storper (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 August 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Western

Tagline:

No place to run. No reason to hide.

Plot:

A former gunslinger is forced to take up arms again when he and his cattle crew are threatened by a corrupt lawman.

Plot Keywords:

Cattle | Rancher | Cowboy | Friendship | Jail

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Robert Duvall	...	Boss Spearman
Kevin Costner	...	Charley Waite
Annette Bening	...	Sue Barlow
Michael Gambon	...	Denton Baxter
Michael Jeter	...	Percy
Diego Luna	...	Button
James Russo	...	Sheriff Poole
Abraham Benrubi	...	Mose
Dean McDermott	...	Doc Barlow
Kim Coates	...	Butler
Herb Kohler	...	Cafe Man
Peter MacNeill	...	Mack
Cliff Saunders	...	Ralph
Patricia Stutz	...	Ralph's Wife (as Pat Stutz)
Julian Richings	...	Wylie

MPAA:

Rated R for violence.

Runtime:

139 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:12 (video rating) (2004) | UK:12A (original rating) | Germany:12 | Iceland:12 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Sweden:11 | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-15 | Ireland:12PG (original rating) | Ireland:12 (video rating) | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | USA:R | Canada:A

Filming Locations:

Alberta, Canada

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

The rifle that Charley uses in the shootout is an 1873 Winchester sporting rifle.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Charlie drops the plank onto the sidewalk step to cross the flooded street it lands on the far right side of the step. When Boss crosses over and steps onto the step, the plank is on the far left side of the step.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Boss Spearman: [indicating a thunderstorm] Think she'll get over this-a-way?
Charley Waite: Might.
Boss Spearman: Best bed 'em down.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Storyboarding 'Open Range' (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Holding All My Love for You

A Contemporary Classic Western

The cowboys Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and Button (Diego Luna) are conducting their cattle herd through the fields of the West. Boss and Spearman have been friends for ten years, and they have an special affection and friendship for Button, Mose and his dog Dig. Boss requests Mose to return to a small town nearby and buy some supplies for the rest of their journey. Mose never comes back, and Boss and Charley decides to check what happened with him. They find Moses beaten and arrested in the jail by the corrupt Sheriff Poole (James Russo), accused of fighting against the men of a powerful local rancher, Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon). Boss and Charley bring Mose to the local doctor, Barlow (Dean McDermott), where Charley falls in love for his sister, Sue Barlow (Annette Bening). They return to their camping, they are attacked by Baxter's men and Mose and Dig are killed and Button is seriously wounded. The two old cowboys return to the town looking for justice. "Open Range" is one of the best contemporary western, with the characters very well constructed and an engaging low paced story having action, drama and romance. The performance of the cast, highlighting Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner, and the direction of Kevin Costner are magnificent. I believe in the future "Open Range" will be considered a classic in the genre. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Pacto de Justiça" ("Pact of Justice")