I hate westerns

Rating: 10/10 (1 October 2009)

As a general rule, I hate westerns. I can't relate to them enough to care about the characters. Even when I can see there's something worthwhile in the story, the trappings of the genre place enough of a disconnect to keep me out of the story.
It was with much trepidation that I took a friend's recommendation to watch this movie. I agreed mainly because I respect both Bale and Crowe enough to give it the benefit of the doubt.
Despite being somewhat talky, there's not much in the script to make it something the movie can rely upon. In the end, do I honestly believe that the two lead actors to embody characters that can forge enough of a bond that the facades fall away and they have to deal with each other as real people?
With due credit to Logan Lerman, acting as a mirror to the hearts of both of the leads, I can honestly say that Crowe and Bale each achieve their formidable task.
I walk away wondering if I would have the courage to act as either Wade or Evans did, and I honestly don't know.
If that's not the sign of a film worth watching, I'm not sure what is. I may have to give westerns another chance.