R | 2h 19m | Action, Drama, Romance | 2003
Although today’s use of the term “range war” may bring to mind environmentalists versus property owners and businesses, the original meaning was grounded (no pun intended) in the American West of the days of yore. Back then, the two parties that were sometimes at odds with one another were “free-grazers”—who wanted to use lands for their cattle—and homesteaders, folks who had built homes on land and usually fenced their property off.
The story is in 1882, almost two decades after the American Civil War (1861–1865) has concluded. Aging free-range cowboy Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), his right-hand man Charley Waite (Costner), and two hired hands Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and Button (Diego Luna) are driving cattle through Montana, along with their cute little fluffy dog named Tig.
The opening act is set up well, and we see that although the four men have their own idiosyncrasies that sometimes get on each other’s nerves, they generally value the friendship they’ve developed while riding together. Boss and Charley have a particularly close relationship similar to that of a father and son and have been riding side by side for a decade. Meanwhile, Mose and Button have formed a bond as if they were brothers, complete with spontaneous roughhousing.
While Mose and Button are engaging in one of their friendly scuffles, Boss and Charley plan their next move and realize that they may not make it to the next settlement unless they purchase supplies. They send Mose to a small town called Harmonville that they passed earlier to fetch some goods: “coffee and such,” as Charley remarks. They’ll stay put until Mose returns from his estimated two-day round trip.
They arrive in town and leave their horses in the care of kindly livery owner Percy (Michael Jeter), who informs them that Mose got into a scuffle with some local cattlemen at the general store and is sitting in a jail cell. Since Boss and Charley know Mose to be a gentle giant of a man who would never look for trouble, they sense that something is off, especially since the town’s chief lawman, Sheriff Poole (James Russo), reportedly cold-cocked Mose from behind.
Boss and Charley dip into the jail to find corrupt Sheriff Poole hanging out with the equally malevolent rancher Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon), who despises open-range types. Although the two parties engage in some verbal hostilities, Denton, who holds a lot of sway in town, orders Sheriff Poole to release Mose, while also threatening the free-rangers to get out of town before sunrise.
However, since Mose has been seriously wounded, Boss and Charley have no choice but to take him to the local doctor, Doc Barlow (Dean McDermott), who lives with his sister Sue (Annette Bening). As the good doctor inspects Mose’s injuries, Charley and Sue become attracted to each other. However, since Charley thinks that Sue is Doc Barlow’s wife, he doesn’t act on his feelings.
Good Values, Good Performances
I’ve always admired Costner as an actor, but after watching this film, I’ve become a fan of his directing talent as well. He also directed the now classic 1990 western “Dances With Wolves.” He is very skilled at developing characters’ personalities and relationships at a gradual pace, while a slow burn of tension ratchets up in the background.
It’s also interesting to note that no character is perfect in this film. For example, while Boss’s personality is sometimes standoffish and cantankerous, he’s a good-hearted man who means well. Although Costner’s drifting cowboy Charley is haunted by having committed some not-too-good deeds during the Civil War, he wants to atone for his past now that he’s older. Annette Bening is excellent as a rather sheltered woman who develops an attraction for the wounded soul Charley, and their blossoming romance never feels phony or overly saccharine.
“Open Range” is a good old-fashioned western that harkens back to the classics of the Golden Age of Hollywood. It’s a great film that reminds us that flawed people can sometimes redeem themselves through acts of kindness, as well as rise to defend innocents against seemingly insurmountable evil forces.
