The Proposition

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The Proposition

R

2005

1h 44m

Drama

Action

Western

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

129 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In 1880s Australia, a lawman (Ray Winstone) offers renegade Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce) a difficult choice. In order to save his younger brother from the gallows, Charlie must hunt down and kill his older brother (Danny Huston), who is wanted for rape and murder. Venturing into one of the Outback's most inhospitable regions, Charlie faces a terrible moral dilemma that can end only in violence.

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Critics Consensus

Brutal, unflinching, and violent, but thought-provoking and with excellent performances, this Australian western is the one of the best examples of the genre to come along in recent times.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Directed by John Hillcoat, this Aussie feature perfectly re-creates the charbroiled landscapes and cruel psychodrama of the old Sergio Leone westerns...

Jul 14, 2022

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

Any movie that can cling to your memory with as much brutal power as this fantastic film is unquestionably a proposition worth taking.

Mar 24, 2007

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Ben Walters

Time Out

A beautifully shot tracker's western that brings the Fordian poles of garden and desert to bear on the bushrangers' Outback, this is also a revenge drama of substantial horror.

Jun 24, 2006

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The Proposition brings to mind Australia’s Outback flicks from the 1970s, mood pieces in which philosophical renegades seek to come to terms with their own restless souls while navigating merciless and uncompromising territories.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 5, 2025

Full Review

Alistair Lawrence

Common Sense Media

The movie's sunburned and anarchic setting creates a memorable atmosphere that sticks to the screen as much as it does its leads' matted hair and filthy clothes.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 11, 2023

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

May be one of the most realistic portrayals of how the West was really won.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 20, 2020

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Audience Member

Brutal and beautiful. The savagery of 19th century Australian outback is captured in this gritty and original western masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

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Oaklee D

When I found out that Nick Cave wrote this film I knew I just had to see it, more out of curiosity than anything. I finally got to sit down and watch the movie and oh boy it did not disappoint. This western from Australia was gripping from beginning to end. The cast were all amazing and that ending left me saying wow. If you haven't seen the film than you should definitely do so. It is very much worth watching it at least once.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

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Jeremy A

I tried. It was way too boring.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/04/24

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mark g

Tough review. Acting is top-notch. Cinematography is incredible. The story keeps you glued to the screen. So what's the problem? Jesus! The most unenjoyable movie ever made. Just darkness, so bleak. In the end, regardless of the skill involved in the production, you have to be able to enjoy a film a bit to recommend. Otherwise it's just probing an open wound.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/12/24

Full Review

Elvis D

Desde Australia llega este western cuyo guion fue escrito por el famoso músico Nick Cave y además, el mismo Cave estuvo a cargo de la banda sonora. The Propoition no es una película al nivel de Hollywood, pero es un western bastante decente con un buen elenco y una historia brutal. La película empieza sin dejar bien en claro de que va la historia, eso después se va entendiendo a la mitad. Lo que tenemos aquí es una intrigante historia de un bandido que debe cazar a su hermano mayor para salvar la vida de su hermano menor y para poder pagar por el crimen que se ha cometido hacia una mujer. El concepto es bastante atrapante y además plasma lo que era el salvaje oeste en ese entonces. El hermano menor Mike Burns que yace tras las rejas se convierte en un chivo expiatorio para el pueblo, el capitán Stanley tiene un buen plan que luego es cuestionado y eso lo pone bajo presión emocional. El bandido Charlie Burns tiene este conflicto de si debe traicionar a su hermano mayor para salvar a su hermano menor a quien quiere bastante. Esta película tiene todo lo necesario para ser un estupendo western. Los actores Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone y Emily Watson son lo mejor del elenco. La película además tiene escenas de violencia muy impactantes. Lo único que falla en esta película es el ritmo tedioso que tiene y algunas situaciones poco claras que se sienten incoherentes. De haberse corregido esos detalles, la película hubiera quedado fantástica. Así que al final, The Proposition uno de los pocos westerns modernos que vale la pena ver por curiosidad. Mi calificación final para esta película es un 7/10.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

Dave S

If you want to see a movie that gives you a view of "hell", full of dour people who seem to have no reason for existence, other than a hardscrabble desire to stay alive at the expense of others, then this is it. Good/great performances by Ray W and Guy P, but unrelenting violence and a despairing view of humanity are negatives.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/08/24

Full Review

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John Hillcoat

Director

Guy Pearce

Charlie Burns

Ray Winstone

Capt. Stanley

Emily Watson

Martha Stanley

Danny Huston

Arthur Burns

John Hurt

Jellon Lamb

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Trailer Bulletin: The Proposition

Interview: Guy Pearce and John Hillcoat

Guy Pearce and John Hillcoat Discuss "The Proposition"

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Synopsis

In 1880s Australia, a lawman (Ray Winstone) offers renegade Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce) a difficult choice. In order to save his younger brother from the gallows, Charlie must hunt down and kill his older brother (Danny Huston), who is wanted for rape and murder. Venturing into one of the Outback's most inhospitable regions, Charlie faces a terrible moral dilemma that can end only in violence.

Director: John Hillcoat
Producer: Chris Brown, Cat Villiers, Chiara Menage, Jackie O'Sullivan
Screenwriter: Nick Cave
Production Co: Autonomouse, Jackie O Productions, Surefire Films LLC
Rating: R (Strong Grisly Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama, Action, Western
Original Language: English
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 5, 2006
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.9M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Dolby

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