Three things make this movie worthwhile....

Rating: 7/10 (23 September 2007)

Russell Crowe, Christian Bale and Ben Foster. This movie is basically your run of the mill Western but the acting is what brings this movie from just okay to really good. Those that compare this movie to Unforgiven probably need to go give that movie another look because it certainly isn't in that league but it comes close. The direction of James Mangold and the performances of the three leads are clearly what make this film work. Russell Crowe is in his usual top form confirming my belief that he will go down as one of the greatest actors of the last twenty years. And Christian Bale continues to prove that there is virtually no limit to his versatility. But the real surprise of this film is Ben Foster. He looked familiar but I didn't place him as the same guy who played Claire's dysfunctional boyfriend from Six Feet Under until about a third of the way through the film. All I can say is that he pulls of playing a bad guy with ease and he has a magnetic screen presence. This guy is the real deal and I predict great things for him. I don't know that you have to see this in the theater but if you choose too it certainly wont be a waste of your money.