|
|
|
3:10
to Yuma
(2007)
 
For as long as the Western genre has existed it has been deeply rooted in a number of core elements and motifs, and to fans of the genre, these archetypes and images are what make these films stand above the rest of the herd. One of these themes is the conflict between man's animalistic nature and civilization, and nowhere does this rivalry play out so vividly as the untamed frontier. In 3:10 to Yuma, the newest addition to the classic genre, director James Mangold blends the best elements of many of the greatest examples of a Western epic with a modern pace and style to create one of the most entertaining and artistically successful films of 2007.
Yuma never strays very far from its origins as an Elmore Leonard short
story or its first cinematic incarnation in 1957. It tells the story of down-on-his
luck farmer Dan Evans (Christian Bale) who takes a dangerous job escorting
notorious highwayman and murderer Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) from his local town
to make a train (yes, the 3:10) to Yuma Prison. But it's not that simple. In
fact, Yuma is one of the most successfully intricate stories I've had
the pleasure of sitting through in recent memory. Though the line between good and bad, right and wrong may seem clearly drawn by this simple synopsis, it's as ambiguous as the morals that define the genre itself.
True to convention, the protagonist (in this case Bale's character) represents civilization, as he attempts to do the right thing and protect his family the lawful and honorable way. He does, however, also represent the animalistic, territorial nature of man, standing up for what is his and wanting to make a place for himself in the world. In this contradiction lies the beautiful conundrum of the great Westerns. How can society expand into the wilderness without the first pioneers into the untamed desert being casualties of the wild? There really is very little seperating Evans from Wade, aside from their stance on certain societal morals. It's no surprise then that the two characters, who are, on the surface, completely at odds, can find themselves working together due to circumstance (such as an Apache raid or their shared opposition to the railroad expansion) and eventually arrive in the same place (both figuratively and literally).
Further heightening the sense of a classic Western, Yuma contains elements
and motifs which, when alone, made the great Westerns great, but combined never
feel forced. We've got the threat of losing land to the railroad, a stagecoach
robbery, a Native American attack, a troubled father-son relationship, and a
wild-eyed gunman. The film never falls into homage territory, though, and despite its veried inspirations is as taught and concise as the best of modern cinema.
Part of the reason the film is so successful is the first-rate performances delivered by the two leads, as well as the strong supporting cast. Both Bale and Crowe show here the very best they have to offer, and being each among the highest calliber in their generations, that's saying quite a lot. Both capture the stony emotions of a rugged westerner, but there's a humanity to them that was absent in even the most characteristic of cowboys. This may be Bale's chance to finally receive awards recognition for his outstanding talents. Two supporting actors manage to steal virtually all their scenes from the stars despite their amazing performances, they being Peter Fonda as a grizzled bounty hunter (who embodies a perfect blend of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood in their respective heydays) and Ben Foster as the frighteningly crazy sidekick to Wade. Though he isn't an actor, composer Marco Beltrami delivers his own character in the rousing score, which evokes the very best of Ennio Morricone's now classic Western music without ever resorting to cliches or even a flat-out homage.
When the final credits began to roll, I couldn't believe I had sat through nearly two hours already. Yuma is the kind of film that goes by far too quickly, simply because it's so good. It proves that the Western genre is long overdue from making a comeback, and that it is possible to make a classic-feeling film that stands up to modern standards of pacing, action, and visuals. This is a film not to be missed, whether you have liked Westerns in the past or not. My advice to everyone reading this is to take the next train, be it the 3:10 or any other time, to your nearest theater, lest this near-masterpiece pass you by.
-Mark
Moreland
|
|
|
|
All contents ©
2004-2009 Thoughtsonfilm.com |
|
|
 |
Director:
James
Mangold
Writer: Halsted Welles, Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, Elmore Leonard
Starring: Christian
Bale, Russell Crowe, Ben Foster, Peter Fonda, Gretchen Moll
Distributor: Lions
Gate Films
Runtime: 117
min
Rating: R
Release Date: September
7, 2007
|
|
 |
|
