Russell Crowe gives a brilliant performance

Rating: 9/10 (9 September 2007)

This movie shows once again Russell Crowe is the leading actor of his generation. He was incredible in giving a multi-faceted and complex role where he is a bad guy to the core but then finds redemption with an unusual friendship with a good man.
The ending was a work of genius, so much going on. Christian Bale also was superb, and this is the first time I have been impressed by him.
Major Spoilers****
In the end, Russell Crowe realizes he still has some good left in him, and kills his entire gang in vengeance for his friend as well as to kill the evil that was within him.
Also, both major characters made confessions to each other, Crowe on why he became a bad man and Bale on the shame he had hidden from his son.
The son (of Christan Bale's character) makes the decision to be a good man like his father, when he could have killed Russell Crowe and went on the bad path.
Christain Bales sacrifice reawakens the small part of goodness that was left in Russell Crowe, and also cements that Bales son is going to be good like he was.
There is a lot going on in the ending and it is all done beautifully.
A great western.