Marco L
(CASTELLANO) Hay películas que llegan sin hacer ruido y acaban pegando fuerte. Open Range es una de esas. No esperaba gran cosa cuando la puse, incluso me costó decidirme a verla. Pero desde que empezó, me atrapó sin remedio. No solo porque me recordó al mejor western moderno (Sin perdón), sino porque tiene alma. Tiene verdad.
Kevin Costner demuestra aquí que sabe hacer cine del Oeste como pocos. No solo dirige con calma y buen pulso, también interpreta a un personaje lleno de matices. Charley no es un héroe al uso, pero tampoco un villano. Es un hombre marcado por su pasado, con una violencia contenida que termina estallando en el momento justo. Y ese tiroteo final... salvaje, sucio, real. Nada de coreografías imposibles: puro nervio y tensión.
La relación entre Charley y Sue es otro de los grandes aciertos. Sutil, pausada, sin artificios. Lo que empieza como un cruce de miradas tímidas va creciendo hasta convertirse en una historia de amor sencilla pero llena de fuerza. Annette Bening está perfecta, y su química con Costner hace que todo fluya con naturalidad.
Lo que más me ha sorprendido es lo mucho que me ha emocionado. Open Range habla de justicia, de redención, de segundas oportunidades. Y lo hace sin subrayar nada, sin buscar el aplauso fácil. Todo está en las miradas, en los silencios, en cómo se enfrentan los personajes a lo que les toca vivir.
Gracias al reportaje que escuché en Sucedió una noche, me animé a verla. Y qué suerte haberlo hecho. Para mí, es uno de los mejores westerns que se han hecho en las últimas décadas. Tiene alma de clásico y corazón de autor. Una joya injustamente olvidada.
(ENGLISH) 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.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
05/29/25
Full Review
Robert B
Excellent film, great acting, Duvall, Costner and Benning are all outstanding.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
05/04/25
Full Review
Claudio C
Open Range (2003)
A Contemporary Classic Western
(11,658 – 14 Feb 2005 / 30 Apr 2025 – by Claudio Carvalho)
The cowboys Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and Button (Diego Luna) are conducting their cattle herd through the fields of the West. Boss and Spearman have been friends for ten years, and they have a special affection and friendship for Button, Mose and his dog Tig. Boss requests Mose to return to a small town nearby and buy some supplies for the rest of their journey. Mose never comes back, and Boss and Charley decide to check what happened to him. They find Moses beaten and arrested in the jail by the corrupt Sheriff Poole (James Russo), accused of fighting against the men of a powerful local rancher, Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon). Boss and Charley bring Mose to the local doctor, Barlow (Dean McDermott), where Charley falls in love with his sister, Sue Barlow (Annette Bening). They return to their camping; they are attacked by Baxter's men and Mose and Tig are killed and Button is seriously wounded. The two old cowboys return to the town looking for justice.
"Open Range" is one of the best contemporary westerns, with the characters very well constructed and an engaging low-paced story having action, drama and romance. The performance of the cast, highlighting Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner, and the direction of Kevin Costner are magnificent. I believe in the future "Open Range" will be considered a classic in the genre. Today I watched this film again and it continues excellent. My vote is nine.
Title (Brazil): "Pacto de Justiça" ("Pact of Justice")
My Blog: https://maniacosporfilme.wordpress.com/
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
05/02/25
Full Review
Thomas N
By far one of my favorite westerns. Great cast, Costner's and Duvall's tremendous chemistry make it a classic. A little predictable, but so what.
Gunfight scene at the end .. one of the best.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
03/23/25
Full Review
Blu B
All Time Classic. The cinematography and direction of Costner is first rate across the board. The lush green plains, the framing/camerawork, shootout is all breathtaking. You can see the influence of John Ford, Tombstone, and Costners other Westerns he directed all over this. The shootout is excellent and really does a great job capturing a frantic, chaotic, and realisitic Western shootout. Defintely worth the buildup. It's a very visually heavy film. The editing and pacing overall all excellent too. It can get a little bit slow in the middle and a bit muddled with setting up the budding romance with Benning, saving the kid, and the war with the Rancher but the payoff is just first rate. Yeha the romantic ending is a bit cliche but it's so well done that if your a sucker for a happy ending it's hard not to resist. Everything else is really good. Duvall is the standout amongst an all star cast. Costner and Benning are really good actors with great presence but they don't have the best chemistry if that makes sense I feel. But it works well. The villian is really good too thanks to Michael Gambon's acting. I wish we maybe would've gotten a bit more backstory and development with the boy and Mose but it works well still. I was kind of torn between a 4.5 or a 5 here. It's really right on the fence for me as it doesn't really break any new ground or have some deep meaning. It's just a really well made first rate western and there really isn't nothing wrong with that and despite the R rating it's on the family friendly side for the most part despite the shootout but it's honestly nothing too terrible suprisingly. It is intense though at times. Everyone should give this a try once.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/18/25
Full Review
Daniel B
"Open Range" is a masterfully crafted Western that pays homage to the genre's classic roots while delivering a fresh and compelling narrative. Directed by and starring Kevin Costner, alongside the legendary Robert Duvall, the film tells the story of two free-grazing cattlemen who confront a corrupt land baron in the American frontier. Duvall's portrayal of Boss Spearman is both commanding and nuanced, embodying the steadfast principles of the Old West. Costner's Charley Waite, a man haunted by his past, provides a perfect counterbalance, showcasing a depth of character that resonates throughout the film. Annette Bening adds grace and warmth as Sue Barlow, bringing a touch of romance and humanity to the rugged landscape. The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the vast, untamed beauty of the frontier with sweeping vistas and meticulous attention to detail. The film's pacing allows for deep character development, leading to a climactic showdown that is both intense and satisfying. "Open Range" stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Westerns, offering a story rich in authenticity, emotion, and timeless themes of justice and redemption.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/05/24
Full Review
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