Leads are poor actors.

Rating: 4/10 (17 January 2006)

okay, I know guys are supposed to be bad at showing their emotions, but the lack of depth of these characters was stunning. The only time they showed any emotion was when they were fighting either with each other (one scene), their father-in-law (one scene), or their wife (one scene).
The kissing and 'love' making scenes were forced, almost as if the actors were waiting for their cue from the director, rather than feeling the 'emotion' their characters were supposed to have. Even when they were lying in each other's post-coital arms there was no chemistry between them. These cowboys had obviously spent too long playing poker for any expression to register on their faces. We had to have flash scenes to figure out what they were thinking as they were so deadpan. Randy Quaid on the other hand stole the scenes he had. The leads needed to be more comfortable with the roles they were supposed to be playing, and for me this detracted from the film.
Their wives on the other hand handled their parts very well; they conveyed their unspoken suspicions well through their expressions and acting.
All that can be said for Ennis is that he learned it would be a good idea to take a day off work for his daughter's wedding.
so, four stars for: female leads, cinematography, Randy Quaid