Open Range - Under Review

Kevin Costner gets back in the saddle.

Open Range (2003)
Six years after the badly addressed The Postman and many moons since his last bona fide box-office smash, Kevin Costner returned to the American west in search of his credibility both as a director and a leading man. It looked like an ego trip too far, but instead Open Range turned out to one of the finest westerns this side of Unforgiven.

Costner co-stars with genre veteran Robert Duvall as itinerant cowboys whose free-grazing raises the ire of Michael Gambon’s landowner. Adapted from Lauran Paine’s novel, it’s a simple story which superficially doesn’t seem to have the chops to power a two hour-plus motion picture. But thanks to Costner’s technique and the fine playing of the leads, Open Range makes for rewarding viewing.