3:10 is just about a TEN

Rating: 8/10 (17 September 2007)

From director James Mangold comes the remake of the popular 1957 film starring Academy Award winner Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. The film tells the story of Ben Wade, (Crowe) a thief/gunslinger captured by local authorities and awaiting to be transported on the 3:10 train to Yuma for trial and conviction. Being accompanied by an array of lawmen, in the middle of all this is Dan Evans (Bale) who takes on this daunting task to support his family and get enough funds to save his ranch.
Mangold has complete control of the film from beginning to end and never loses focus of the old western. He revolutionizes it and alas, keeps the same character and charisma it had in the early years of cinema. Deciding on shots and creating moments that sends sheer fear down the viewer's spine is the least of the director's achievement. He commands this ship and leads the players in some of the finest performances of the year. However there are some flaws with the script and pacing of the picture but all in all, you cannot ask for more from the film.
Russell Crowe who may not be the friendliest person in Hollywood to most is undoubtedly one of our finest actors working today. He captures a strong grip on Ben Wade and chooses to chew up all scenery he's in. His villainous turn which is reminiscent of past performances such as Daniel Day-Lewis in Gangs of New York and Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond has the viewer rooting for him when you know you really shouldn't; a compelling turn for the actor indeed.
Christian Bale which has been Hollywood's best kept secret for some time and is a household name is terrific as always. While being the most sympathetic of any characters on screen, he gives the viewer encouragement and anguish; a task not easy for many actors. His Dan Evans is completely lost in his life, while being nearly estranged from his older son and being permanently "scarred" to say the least from war, Dan is the champion of the story. Bale has been an up and comer for some time as far as awards consideration goes and exceedingly been left off many a time. With acclaimed performances in American Psycho, Batman Begins, and The Prestige and early year raved performance in Rescue Dawn, Bale may find himself amongst the list of candidates come Oscar time. Although he does share a co-lead with Crowe and may find himself pushed in supporting as studios sometimes do. But with amazing supporting performances in the film, he is overshadowed there as well.
Ben Foster is the triumph of the picture as Ben Wade's right hand man and turns in the actor's most frightening turn to date. He might be seeing himself with a few breakthrough awards this coming awards season if momentum builds. Peter Fonda has a very simple role but dignifies the old western man so profound. Fonda which has been long ignored by the Academy with only one nomination to his credit doesn't have enough scenery to chew on to get the glorified veteran nomination. Dallas Roberts and newcomer Logan Lerman turn in excellent performances respectively. Gretchen Mol is also quite staggering in her blink and miss role.
The film is quite the triumph and rolls out the red carpet for more western to return to Hollywood. The film will be followed later this year with The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and we look forward to a few more instances of great westerns to come.
The film will have an uphill climb for Oscar season especially with hopes of a Best Picture nomination. Being a remake, two co-leads and slew of bigger pet projects coming in the months of Oscar, its true shot will lie in the Original Score category for Marco Beltrami, which along with a great cinematography by Phedon Papamichael are the best technical aspects of the film.
It looks to be a great movie year thus far with a much surprise love for western cinema back in the light.
Grade: ***1/2/****