Non-traditional Western & a strong movie

hhfarm-1

The plot outline is hackneyed: in a Western (US) area there is a powerful rancher who abuses privilege, mistreats animals and runs roughshod over the small ranchers/farmers; from the small ranchers one man arises to fight back.

It would be tedious if that was it - really, how many times do we need to see this story? But there's much more to it: the good guys aren't all good; the bad guys are mostly bad but their motives aren't clear.

Cusack does a decent job overall. He reached his limit many movies back and can't seem to break free of his tried and true mannerisms. It's a shame as he had real potential 10 years ago. Here he is credible and willful but still relies too much on his habits to get by.

Still, an outstanding movie and well worth seeing. Depressing though.

score 7/10

hhfarm-1 22 May 2006

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1374676/