Some films arrive quietly and end up hitting hard. Open Range is one of those. I didn’t expect much when I put it on; I even hesitated before watching it. But from the moment it began, it completely drew me in. Not only because it reminded me of the best of modern Westerns (Unforgiven), but because it has soul. It has truth.
Kevin Costner proves here that he knows how to make a Western like few others. He directs with patience and precision, and his portrayal of Charley is full of nuance. Charley isn't a traditional hero, nor a villain. He’s a man shaped by his past, with a quiet violence that erupts at the exact right moment. And that final shootout… raw, messy, real. No fancy choreography—just pure tension and grit.
The relationship between Charley and Sue is another of the film’s strengths. Subtle, slow-burning, without embellishment. What starts as shy glances grows into a love story that’s simple but powerful. Annette Bening is wonderful, and her chemistry with Costner feels effortlessly natural.
What surprised me most was how deeply it moved me. Open Range is about justice, redemption, second chances. And it delivers all of this without underlining it, without begging for applause. It’s all in the looks, the silences, the way characters face what’s coming.
Thanks to a radio feature on Sucedió una noche, I gave it a shot. And I’m so glad I did. For me, it’s one of the finest Westerns made in decades. It has the soul of a classic and the heart of a true auteur. A hidden gem that deserves to be rediscovered.
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