Some pretty sickening scenes. Some of the more sensitive and endearing characters come to pretty grizzly ends. Some of the less endearing ones also. I liked the "Western" feel to this drama, other critics obviously didn't. I got this primarily for the pairing of Blanchett and Tommy Lee and was not disappointed. They play pretty much to form but it is a good match and very sparky. Some of the contrivances are unbelievable (as Kermode might say) but I don't like being left with the thought that something wouldn't really work. Is it because directors are so arty they aren't good with minor practicalities or do they just think they'll get away with them? The child actors are good enough not to drag the rest down (unlike the Harry Potter series) because the acting is strong. I was moved and bitterly disappointed (in a good way) with the mood of the film many times.
Powerful performances from all concerned,make this a compelling view.
Portray's the "old West"in a "warts n all" light,a seismic shift from "cowboys n injuns".
Here,the "good guy's" don't all wear white hat's either.
Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones on good form,but all credit to the able support cast too.
This is pretty much an average suspense thriller played out in a western setting. The acting is universally good through the story often plods along at a slow pace, and towards the end of the story the film pretty much turns in to a clichéd western.