‘Range’ is gallant return to Old West

Michael T. Giovanniello of Burbank is a freelance writer.

I found “Open Range” to be a surprising and wonderful return to

the classic Western genre. It is a story for adults -- by adults --

told with mature sensibilities.

Kevin Costner masterfully directs and stars alongside a superb

cast, including Robert Duvall, Annette Bening and Michael Gambon,

with a fine screenplay by Craig Storper of the Lauran Paine novel,

“The Open Range Men.”

It focuses on the value of friendship, the power of conviction and

the scope of human integrity. The crisp and yet frugal dialogue is,

at times, poetic in its passion.

There are beautifully photographed images of immense landscapes,

endless skies plagued by torrential rains where mud and dust give way

to porcelain cups and flower gardens. It was a time when life was

simple, but hard. When justice was indiscriminate and deadly. A time

when men did what they knew to be right, and freedom depended on

bullets.

While paying homage to films like “High Noon,” “Unforgiven” and

“The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” it does so without becoming

sentimental or melodramatic. Its values are well-worn yet

contemporary; taking a stand against bullies and social mores,

grabbing life’s inevitable second chances and trusting in truth and

honesty are eternal values worth fighting for even today.

“Open Range” is rated R for violence.

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