does a realistic western exist?

Rating: 8/10 (15 September 2007)

i've read many complaints on IMDb about how this movie is not realistic, and how lots of silly things happen. so what is so peculiar about that? just about every western i have ever seen has been vastly unrealistic, but thats part of the genre isn't it?
most of the direction of this movie has a deeper significance which goes beyond superficial notions of realism. and essentially centres around a quest for redemption. bale acting as crowes guiding light and to an extent vice versa. both performances are excellent, and actually there really isn't a bad performance in this film
the deeper storyline is accompanied by some wonderful action sequences. although these get ear splittingly noisy toward the end
the film has some lovely sound overall though. really good use of gunshot reverb in the surrounds. with only the odd distracting moment with the sound of coyotes(?). loved the sound of the horse/cart rattling along, the sound of the steam train pulling in etc. overall excellent layering of sounds. loved it.
i also really liked the costumes, esp the wonderful coats/jackets
i don't have a bad thing to say about this film. it was the most entertaining 'modern' western that i have seen to date