Appaloosa

Plot synopsis:
The movie begins with an explanation of the relationship between Virgil Cole (Ed Harris), the gunman/lawman for hire, and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen), a gradate of West Point who decided that the Army wasn't for him and he needed to discover himself in the wild, wild west. They met when Everett had backed Virgil in a gunfight about 12 years previously, and since then, the two had been inseparable, with Everett taking second fiddle to the infamous Virgil, working in various towns as marshal and deputy. They're gunmen who only shoot when it's legal: When they're hired to be lawmen for towns that seem to have too many bad guys.Cut to Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons), the largest area rancher outside the town of Appaloosa, who with his men terrorize the town and implement their own rules. The current sheriff and two deputies come to his ranch to arrest two of Bragg's men who murdered a man and his wife, but Bragg takes matters into his own hands and kills all three of them with a young ranch hand (Joe Whitfield played by Gabriel Marantz) watching on in horror.So the city fathers meet with Virgil and Everett and accept Virgil's rules of the road: my way or the highway, no discussion or I'll move on to the next town. The city fathers have little choice, and it doesn't take but a few minutes and there's a disruption in a bar with two of Bragg's men urinating on the floor. Virgil and Everett wander on over and tell them that they need to stop, or head to jail. They don't stop, nor do they want to head to jail, and they draw on Virgil and he kills the two at the bar while Everett takes care of a third that appears out of a side room.A day passes and Bragg and all his men come into town and meet with Virgil and Everett in a small bar. Bragg offers some way of reconciliation with Virgil, but as the last marshal/sheriff was Virgil's friend, he has none of it. It ends with a tense standoff and Virgil telling them that they can't even bring weapons into the town from then on.Enter Allison French (Renee Zellweger), fresh off a train with only a dollar to her name. Everett spots her first and follows her to a small restaurant where Virgil is also having breakfast. Both men seem to want to court her, but Everett gives way to Virgil, who seems smitten. Once he declares himself the city marshal, Allison smiles and flirts. In turn, Virgil promises her a gig at the local hotel where if she plays the piano, she can probably stay for free (which is the only work available as she says she isn't a whore.)Back at the law office, Everett and Virgil talk about Allie (what she likes to be called) a little, with Everett egging on Virgil just a bit, but obviously letting (and encouraging) Virgil to pursue Allie. They then see some riders on top of a hill that overlooks Appaloosa and decide to go and investigate. When they get up there, they have a mild confrontation that involves Virgil whacking one man with the butt of his pistol to make a point that Bragg has no power anywhere, inside or outside of the town.In a bar, Virgil's nasty temper flares and he attacks a rowdy man after he swears in Allie's presence. Virgil beats the man so badly Everett has to stop him. It's apparent that Virgil is a man with a clear sense of right and wrong, not complicated by shades of gray. He's doesn't let much get to him, but when he gets upset, he is uncontrollable. Everett later apologizes to the man and gives him a drink. When a town father asks him why Virgil doesn't apologize, Everett explains that that isn't Virgil and if they want the town protected, they'll have to take the good and the bad, as they hired the man.A day or a week or more is implied to have passed and during breakfast, Allie comes down with Virgil (obviously they just slept together) and announce that Virgil is going to be making her a house in town and they'll live there together. Everett is obviously surprised and mildly upset that his friend hadn't told him, but congratulates them and says nothing. Breakfast is interrupted when Joe Whitfield comes in and says that he saw the killings and will testify. They cross examine him and make sure the kid is up for the task and when it appears that he is, head out to get Bragg. They catch him in the outdoor privy and drag him back at gunpoint into town through his angry (but obedient) men. Now comes the round the clock guarding of Bragg, who unfortunately has a cell right next to Joe and makes some threats that shake the younger man up.Meanwhile, Allie's house is slowly getting built. Virgil doesn't know how to handle some of her requests and sends Everett over to deal with her a little. When Everett gets there, Allie corners him and kisses him, but after a few seconds of enjoying it, pushes her off and tells her that when they are not together, they're both with Virgil. Allie, obviously stung, asks him to leave. Everett says nothing about it to Virgil, but does to the hispanic prostitute he's been visiting and she tells him that eventually Allie will tell Virgil and he should be prepared for the 'not-nice' spin Allie will put on it.Two other lawmen come into the office and said they came with the judge. They offer their help to watch Bragg and Virgil thanks them and accepts. The Shelton brothers (Mackie and Ring) come into town, they're very good hired guns. Virgil knows them but unlike him, they go out for hire for legal and illegal purposes. After a small discussion, Virgil makes it clear who is in charge and the two brothers go into the hotel after witnessing Virgil and Allie go out for a country picnic in a carriage.The trial starts and while all the Bragg boys testify for him, the damning evidence is presented by Joe, and even Bragg's loquacious oratory that comes afterwards doesn't save him. After testifying, the boy is told by the judge to get on his horse and ride out of town for his own safety, and the judge orders Bragg hanged in another city (to be taken by train.) As the sentence is handed down, Bragg makes eye contact with the Shelton brothers.On the train things seem to be going quietly, but soon it stops for a refill of water and the Shelton brothers appear on a dry riverbed under the train and show they have Allie tied to a horse. They threaten to kill her if they don't release Bragg. Virgil agonizes for a few moments and then gives up Bragg, but per the agreement, doesn't get Allie until they decide to release her. Virgil is frustrated at losing his prisoner, and goes after them on foot while Everett goes back to town via the train to get horses.They meet up again after a day while Virgil has been tracking on foot the Shelton brothers, Bragg and Allie, and now on horseback catch up to the group. They see a bunch of Indians coming towards the group and then Everett and Virgil see Allie frolicking in a river naked with Bragg. Both lawmen appear distressed, but more concerned about the Indians about to ambush the four people. The Indians do ambush them and Virgil and Everett fight them off, killing one of the Indian's horses in the process. Virgil then makes a deal with the brothers that they all will put aside differences until they're out of ambush range, after that they'll settle them. When Virgil and Everett are on guard duty, Allie comes up and sits between them, saying how scared she was and how it was a mistake. When Virgil asks Everett if he thinks that she'd sleep around again, Everett replies that "Allie needs a man." Allie then tries to say that Everett touched her, but when Virgil asks Everett, he denies that it happened like Allie says. Virgil then makes it clear that he believes Everett's version over Allie.They wait a while, expecting to be attacked, but then Everett takes Bragg's expensive thoroughbred horse and gives it to the Indians, making peace with them and they head on their way. They come to a small town where the two brothers and Virgil decide to have their showdown. As Virgil and Everett rest before their shoot out, Everett makes a note that Allie's not a loose woman, she just wants to be 'the woman' of the stallion of the herd. The problem is, the stallion changes from time to time. Virgil still makes it clear that even with Allie being how she is, he cares for her and wants her. Allie comes in, obviously scared. When the men tell her that they're not scared because it's part of the job, she replies that she's always scared that she'll lose everything and have nothing. Virgil states he'll always look out for Allie, for as long as she needs him.As they walk over to the stockyards to have it out with the Shelton brothers, Virgil and Everett find out the town Marshal they entrusted with Bragg is a cousin of the Sheltons. The Marshal, Bragg, and the Shelton brothers get the drop on them, making it four on two. Virgil shoots one of the brothers and the Marshal and Everett kills the other brother, but misses Bragg, who rides away on a horse. Both Everett and Virgil are wounded, but not fatally. Allie runs to Virgil's side, fearful that he may be dying.After a period of time, they finish building the house. Virgil's left knee was left permanently impaired and he wears a brace. They can even laugh a little at everything that happened, including Allie's indiscretions. The town's leadership tell them that Bragg was pardoned by the President of the Unites States, who Bragg had claimed to know, but everyone thought it was just a story. Some time later, Bragg arrives in town dressed like a gentleman, wearing a fine suit, announcing that he has reformed. He buys and refinishes the hotel. It is unclear if he got his money in an illegal way. He tries to make peace with Virgil, but the man will have none of it and Bragg's actions make it clear that the town fathers are in his pocket, Virgil's days as the Marshal are numbered.Virgil and Everett have a talk, with Everett saying that there isn't really work in Appaloosa for a guy like him. Virgil refuses to leave because Allie is there and is okay with Everett moving on if he has to. Everett has watched Allie go upstairs to Bragg's room at the hotel, obviously she had sensed the power change. She doesn't look happy about it, but she does it.The next day Everett gives a necklace to the Hispanic girl and tells her the name of the one man who he had killed without being a lawman, sounding disappointed at himself about it. He says he's leaving. He takes his horses and rides to the hotel, going into the bar and laying down his badge and a gun to the barman, saying that it's for Bragg. Everett then goes over to Bragg and punches him and challenges him to a duel. He then slaps him, infuriating him and insulting his pride before walking outside to wait for him. Bragg gets the gun and storms out of the hotel.Meanwhile, Everett's woman alerts Virgil that Everett is leaving, and arrives with Virgil to the hotel. Virgil asks Everett what is happening, but Everett asks him to step aside, noting that he's never asked Virgil for anything before but is asking now. The shootout happens in a second and Bragg falls dead, Everett doesn't get a scratch on him and he mounts his horse and rides out of Appaloosa. It ends with a narration from Everett saying that he gave Allie and Virgil more time to work things out and he's on the road to discovering more about himself again.

Tags: revenge, suspenseful, murder, violence

Review:
Slotting in a good helping of action, romance and humour also goes some way to making Harris' movie a worthy modern day Oater.
A film that follows those old beloved B movie Western conventions, but one that still retains a topical criminal thread.The best reward in the film comes from spending time with Harris & Mortensen.
The sense of space, the wish to be part of civilization, the bad men resisting that encroachment, the sense of the mythic; it was all there.A little bit more modern in approach than a classic 50's tale, particularly in how Renée Zellwegger's character developed, but a real story nevertheless; good guys, bad guys.
Timothy Spall is good comic relief and Ed Harris and Vigo Mortensen a terrific pair, carefully nurturing their relationship while understanding exactly what they have to do.The pace was very good, allowing the story and character to develop properly.
What we have here is a great western that looks and feels like a classic in the making, an old school western with an old school touch of directing (and acting) from Ed Harris.
It's got it all, great writing, killer acting, and a great atmosphere that allows the viewer to get trapped in this old western world.Set in 1882 New Mexico, Appaloosa follows the fate of the town of the same name, which has fallen into the control of a ruthless outlaw (Jeremy Irons), and the powers that be have hired new hands to take control of the situation (Harris and Viggo Mortensen).
However, when a mysterious widow (Renee Zellweger) arrives in town, loyalties will be tested, friendships will be put on trial, and guns will be fired.The strong point, as I've said, is Ed Harris, who pulls the quadruple threat of acting, directing, writing, and producing.
His freezing stare, mixed with the icy cold voice he is most known for, makes him one of the most memorable villains of the year.Renee Zellweger really didn't add anything to the movie, though her character wasn't too interesting, and just serves as a plot device.
The rest of the supporting cast is really a non-issue, as the story really only revolves around a few characters.What I enjoyed most about the film is that it really made me feel like I was out west...right down to the little details, such as sandstorms, the presence of Native Americans, small drawls from the actors (thankfully none besides Zellweger had a bad one), and the different kinds of horses & guns in the film.
Appaloosa as a western is okay, as a movie its okay, but as a character study it's great.
There are two tough partners in justice Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) that have been riding together for more than one decade and they understand each other just fine So they're not initially supposed to talk about their easy, warm, intuitive solidarity We intuitively catch there's something between them, that special bond, that profound respect, and obviously that sense of esteem, of attention and sympathy and most of all each other's needsEd is particularly fine It may not be a romantic conception, but he gives his role great vitality He's melancholy, laconic and assured as the cool, nerveless professional hired gun who becomes the town's peace keeper...
His justice is rapid and simple Follow his law or get locked up; if you deny, you're going to be shot He's also very faithful, and you see this in his friendship with Everett Hitch Virgil trusts Everett completely because Everett is very sincere and truthful with himWith his formidable shotgun, Everett is a kind of Virgil's straight man, his worshiping right hand and conscience Mortensen is a sharpshooter He's never seen on foot, in any scene, without his huge weapon His heavy rifle has become almost another character in the film It doesn't matter where, either in his hands or right next to him And that's in the bar, in the restaurant, in the office, and even in the bedroom Renee Zellweger plays the role of Allison French, a mysterious woman who seduces everyoneAfter Cole and Hitch meet her in a restaurant, they knew that she is a refined widow, that she arrives to the brutal New Mexico town with one dollar in her purse, that she plays piano and likes to be called Allie Cole takes a liking to her, and makes a very tough decision to stick with her Zellweger plays the malicious new-gal with a great sense of sweetness and gaiety She brings liveliness and refinement to her roleAnother strong character in "Appaloosa" is the miscreant cold-hearted rancher Randall Bragg The film starts with the killing of the town's last Marshall and his deputies at the hands of the nefarious Bragg played by Jeremy Irons Bragg is a wealthy man whose ranch henchmen run menacingly and aggressively over the town"Appaloosa" is a Western of real depth and sophistication Every punch seen in the film is like a word of dialog moving the story forward, creating tension and drama.
Two famous ¨town tamer¨ named Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everett Stitch(Viggo Mortensen)come hired by the citizens (Timothy Spall, James Gammon) to rid a rancher ( Jeremy Irons), and his hoodlums (Lance Henriksen, among others).
There is a refreshing gentlemanly quality to this bittersweet triangle that I haven't seen since the early westerns of Zane Grey.Appaloosa is authentic not only because of its characters, but because it's filmed in New Mexico locations that are correct to the time and place in which the story is set.
If that isn't a sure sign of a VP I don't know what is.Terrible dialogue "I've known you a long time...as long as you've known me..." was actually repeated twice!There was one good line, after a good "shoot 'em up" Everett says something like "that happened fast" to which Virgil replies, "that's cause everybody could shoot."I agree with most of the other comments- it kind of went off the rails when Zellweger came into the picture.Might be okay at home on DVD.
Guys like him, Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Sam Elliott, Tom Selleck and others have helped keep the western genre alive.Speaking of actors, it isn't just Mortensen and Harris who shine here: everyone does, from Rene Zellweger and Jeremy Irons down to the supporting cast which includes veteran actors Lance Henriksen, Timothy Spall, James Gammon, among others.If you're a fan of westerns, someone who appreciates realism and interesting characters, check this movie out..
Ed Harris is consistently Oscar worthy in my opinion, Viggo Mortensen is usually solid and brooding, Renee Zellweger is among the stronger of Hollywood's leading ladies, and Jeremy Irons - though sometimes hit and miss - more often hits.
Because this story is about the code men live by (a recurring theme for Parker, the novel's author) and what happens when the code is threatened.Renee Zellweger does a really good job as an amoral character, but she is humanized because at some point we realize that she is Everywoman living in a man's construct, doing what she has to do to survive.
It is story and character driven.The town of Appaloosa looks great, you wonder how much longer there will be places like that in the world, the surrounding country looks like so many John Ford westerns that were filmed way up in Utah...
I like the fact that Lance Henrickson is finally given an A-List movie to work at, because that dumb pirate film he was in a few years back was pretty low to the bottom of the barrel- The great thing about his character was that you know there was going to be a confrontation, but that prospect did not affect his friendship with Cole.Viggo really steals this, although there is not really any competition between the two mains, even for the woman where you'd think there would be some competition.This film is not what you expect, and of all the modern westerns, this one stands out.It kind of fills the expectations I had for the recent remake of 3:10 to Yuma- Not that 3:10 to Yuma was really a bad film, both versions, but this one is a traditional western, all the way.If there IS to be a sequel I'd like to see it..
Cole's no nonsense, unorthodox approach winds some people up, but he gets results and gets to enjoy a romance with new lady in town Allison French (Renee Zellweger) who comes to cause tension with him and best friend Everett (Viggo Mortensen) before he embarks on one last mission to take Bragg down for good.The western is an old, forgotten genre that's been creeping out of the woodwork again with films like The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, 3:10 to Yuma and now this directorial debut from Ed Harris, who also takes on lead role duties.This is his first film to make an impression as a director.
It is mostly a character study, with much time spent on low-key exchanges between Harris and Mortensen as the two lawmen, with some of the scenes reminiscent of "My Darling Clementine." Not that it's anywhere close to being as good as that classic.
Still, the casting director makes up for it with a couple of meaty roles for veteran actors Jeremy Irons and Lance Henriksen.Harris wrote the screenplay, produced and directed the film.
First, I don't think Renee Zellweger is that great, so any actress could have filled her role with no loss.Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen were first rate as the "town tamers".
The tough friends and partners Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) arrive in the town of Appaloosa and they are hired as marshal and deputy by the local politicians with absolute power to rule the city.
Bragg escapes with his men and Allie through the desert, with Virgil and Everett on their tail."Appaloosa" is a solid western with a style of those Clint Eastwood's movies in the beginning of his career.
The combination of Ed Harris as Virgil Cole and Viggo Mortensen as Everett Hitch is perfectly suited to the story, setting and era and both do a great job of stepping into their characters with convincing ease.
While Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, and Renee Zellweger are all great actors, this movie fell short in every way imaginable!!!
You can't deserve so much from it as you get what from other western movies although there's some gun fight.The character Renée Zellweger as Allison french ruins the mood to watch the movie although Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen did very well on their character.Cinematography was good but worst screenplay and I wonder how this movie have a rating around 6.8 on IMDb..
The principals are played by Ed Harris, who also directs, Viggo Mortensen, and Renee Zellweger, with Jeremy Irons excellent as usual in the role of the villainous rancher.
In an age when cinematic blockbusters rule in all their special-effect laden glory, one could be forgiven for thinking that the venerable western would have gone the way of the coal-fired locomotive and vanished from the cultural landscape, however you'd be wrong, and we're all richer because of it.Appaloosa marks Hollywood's latest foray into oater territory, telling the story of lawman Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and his shotgun toting deputy Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen), two hired guns enlisted as Marshalls by the town of Appaloosa, New Mexico, in order to free the hamlet from the grip of the murderous cattle baron Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons).Working from a screenplay Harris co-wrote with Robert Knott and based upon the 2005 novel by Robert Parker, Appaloosa layers its formulaic plot with rich character detail and clever dialog in the interplay between Cole and Hitch, and Allison French (Renee Zellweger), the woman who threatens to come between them.With a running time of close to two hours, there are moments when the story seems to meander in the long gaps between gun-play, however it never quite manages to lose its grip on the audience thanks to its exploration of the bond of friendship between the grizzled and world-weary Cole and Hitch, two men not comfortable discussing or exploring their feelings.In an unusual departure from saddle-saga convention, Harris peppers the script with clever, often humorous dialog as the two men wrestle with the unfamiliar emotions of love, fear of dying, their prowess and limitations with firearms, and the reconciliation of love and betrayal.
The acting of Jeremy Irons and Ed Harris was not bad but I didn't like Rene Zellweger in this role, for me she was just terrible.
There is a good story in Appaloosa and it doesn't just involve fast lines and faster guns like most westerns.
This is an amazing movie that depicts some very interesting aspects of human beings, and life during the western era, from the aspect of women and law men...I really liked the acting, particularly by Renee Zellweger, and I really liked the writing...If you like character studies or thoughtful movies, this movie is probably for you....
And with Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger and Jeremy Irons Appaloosa good an A-cast that just show some of their finest performances.If you like the West and gunmen this one is certainly one to put on your watch-list..
Appaloosa (2008) is a western film starring Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zellweger, and Jeremy Irons.
I loved the dialogue between Zellweger and the two main men, Harris and Mortensen, that was where the script stood out and where depth was given to the characters.
The film looks sharp and is a very original, intelligent western with a few interesting twists and turns, well developed characters, powerhouse performances and a story that flows very well.
The main theme of the movie is loyalty, and the main characters are Virgil (Ed Harris)and Everett (Viggo Mortenson).
In 2008's "Appaloosa" two itinerate lawmen -- Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) -- are hired to protect the New Mexican town of Appaloosa from Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons), a newly-arrived rancher with money and a gang of thugs who arrogantly murdered three local lawmen.
There are some good gun fights, there is horse back riding, there is wonderful scenery, excellent photography, and fine acting.This movie is paced more like the classic westerns than today's action movies, where someone gets tortured, killed, or blowed up about every 2 minutes because the director thinks all the 14 year old ADHD boys in the theater will go to sleep if he does otherwise.
With so few being made, I almost always give them a look.This is an Ed Harris project (starring, directed, adapted by) but the key character and best performance was given to and by Viggo Mortensen.
I went to see Appaloosa thinking it would be a remake of the film The Appaloosa,which the only thing I remember about it is that Marlon Brando(1924-2004)'s character wanted to get his horse back.But Appaloosa did not result a remake,but an adaptation from a book which was published in this decade,and although it makes a tribute to the characteristics of western,it does not add too much to the genre.But,in spite of that,it results a good movie.Although I am not a big fan of "old westerns",I have liked some of them pretty much and I recognize that Appaloosa follows the theme,rhythm and structure the genre has had from its beginnings : simple moral fables set on the North American old west with characters who reflect the nostalgia for an existence more simple but more complicated,marking the transition from the barbarism of the "wild one" and the rising social culture,which requires less honor and less ingenuity and more subterfuge,hypocrisy and paranoia for surviving on a completely different level.I understand the interest behind that.But,after seeing so many similar stories during a long time,I need a story which gives new life to that.Unfortunately,Appaloosa does not aspire to so much,so it is a rehash of the well-known clichés : the fair and honourable heroes; the greedy and cruel villain who does not respect the law; the flirt widow who falls in love with the two heroes; and,of course,the shootouts in rural landscapes of meadows and mountains.The modern westerns I liked very much had an innovative element which gave new life to the genre : the philosophy of Unforgiven; the visual surrealism of The Quick and The Dead; the humor of Silverado; and the deep emotions of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.Although Appaloosa is a good movie,there is not nothing innovative to make it memorable.Fortunately,it has various positive elements.The screenplay is well written and the beginning and ending are very good (the middle part is also solid,but there are some boring and redundant scenes on it).Ed Harris made a good work on his second experience as a director (the first one was the competent Pollock),although his weak point is on the visual aspect,which does not result too special.But,I think his best work is in the direction of actors.Viggo Mortensen and him bring perfect performances and they can bring life to their characters.The member of the cast who mostly stands out is the great Jeremy Irons,who backs to prove his enormous talent,because he is completely natural and credible on his role on this movie.Renée Zellweger brings a correct performance,although she does not have much to do.Appaloosa is a solid movie,I do not deny it.But its lack of originality and not having innovative elements on the screenplay,make of it a good but forgettable experience..
Based on the Novel by Robert B.Parker, Ed Harris directed 'Appaloosa' is an interesting western flick, that offers entertainment in the goings-on.
The story is about two career lawmen (Harris and Viggo Mortensen) who take over the town of Appaloosa after the sheriff and deputies were gunned down by a local landowner, played by Jeremy Irons.
From the script, to the direction, to the acting,(top to bottom), to the filming, this movie nails the telling of a story and making it feel real.