Another Fine Performance from Ben Wade

Rating: 8/10 (2 September 2007)

When we last saw Ben Wade, he was chewing (sipping) the scenery in Ridley Scott's "A Good Year". Nobody saw that film, prompting Mr. Wade to lament that people should trust him and his judgement in film. Well, I do. I am happy to report that Mr. Wade's latest outing, "3:10 to Yuma" proves yet again that Mr. Wade is the finest judge of scripts and directors in (and outside) of Hollywood.
Since Mr. Wade's introduction to America in "The Quick and the Dead", he has captivated audiences in one quality production after another. "Yuma" abandons the camp of the "Q&D" and gives us something straight out of the '50's and '60's'. No cynicism here: this is the mythic Western of my youth, where America's westward expansion focuses the morality of a man into Biblical proportions. No wonder that most Westerns of the classic period were set in deserts. No wonder that the excellent dialogue and delivery exposes the purity of a man.
Supporting Mr. Wade is Christian Bale, who himself is proving a most versatile actor, with a similar ability to judge the quality of a script. His struggle is the central focus of the film, with Mr. Wade's as that of muse or guide through that journey to redemption.
Heartily recommended....but stay through the credits...they're quite entertaining, especially if you admire Mr. Wade's ability to bury himself in the part!