Amazing performances ...

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2003)

by Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott and Bill Paxton (as Wyatt Earp, his two brothers and his friend, Doc Holliday).
I must start out by saying; I have a strong dislike for "westerns". Even having been raised from the age of 6 in Colorado, my tastes run more contemporary, modern and sometimes even futuristic. My partner in life and I have recently been talking about our all time favorite movies. We have discussed many and have about 60% of our choices in common. The other day, we began discussing "Tombstone" and I interrupted him saying that he could "just stop because I was not going to watch a Western." He convinced me to watch the movie based solely upon Val Kilmer's performance as Doc Holliday.

Well, I thought Val Kilmer was magnificent in "The Doors" and "Heat" and have been a fan of his since "Real Genius" so I grudgingly agreed to watch the movie. Even as I put the VHS tape in the VCR, I was dreading my promise to him. I waited to watch the movie until late last evening, ensuring a smooth transition into dreamland because I would be bored to tears and let's face it: a boring movie is better than a sleeping pill. Okay, here: "You were right, honey."
This film captivated me in the first 5 minutes. I went into the movie having little to no knowledge of the story of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Basically I knew their names from history; however before last evening I couldn't have told you whether they were "good guys" or "bad guys."

The performances by Mr. Russell and Mr. Kilmer were phenomenal as I was transported back to the day of the Wild West. Val Kilmer *was* Doc Holliday. He oozed sex appeal, emotion, and honesty; every woman who has ever watched this movie wishes she were Doc's Kate. Holliday was extremely attached to Wyatt Earp ~ the depth of the friendship beautifully portrayed by both actors. Either would have given his life for the other. The additional performances by Elliott as Wyatt's brother Virgil, and by Paxton as their brother Morgan, gave us a further glimpse into the dynamic lives of the Earp Family.
This movie has everything: good vs. evil, comedy (Holliday's response to Johnny Ringo's pistol twirling show), action, suspense, romance and some incredibly moving and emotional scenes. I cried twice, once almost to the point of sobbing. It has been a very long time since I had been so moved to that point by a film. I have watched it three times in the last 24 hours and am planning on purchasing it for my own VHS collection. Hmmmmm ... now may be a good time to upgrade to DVD .........
Revisit Tombstone ... remember when you wanted to be a cowboy? And ladies, you know you want him. *wink*