Hostiles, starring Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike, is a revisionist Western that explores themes of prejudice and redemption. The film's slow-burning pace and powerful dialogue create a captivating experience that resonates long after the credits roll.
Hostiles draws comparisons with 2015's Kurt Russell starrer Bone Tomahawk as well as Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven. Both of these films share a revisionist tone that seeks to redress and confront problematic or simplistic characteristics of the Western genre prevalent in the past. Despite these developments, Western s are still often viewed negatively. However, they offer a far more progressive and engaging range of films compared to action flicks, superhero movies, and other blockbuster genres.
Hostiles opens with a violent shock to the system, before settling into a pace that revolves around conversations and confrontations, punctuated by occasional, sudden action sequences. While some viewers might find the pace slow, and the editing could have been tighter in certain parts, the film's moving writing, intriguing story, and transporting backdrops easily compensate for these minor shortcomings. The film boasts a stellar cast led by Christian Bale, who delivers a truly exquisite performance as Blocker. As an actor who is getting older, his character and performance reflect this maturity. Furthermore, he conveys a range of piercing emotions through his eyes, his most important acting tool in the film as his character's large mustache covers his mouth, thus taking away his most obvious expressive tool. This could very well be Bale's best performance to date, and if it isn't, it is certainly among his strongest. Rosamund Pike is also extraordinary, and like in Gone Girl, she evokes a sense of grace and charm in a layered performance. The star-studded cast, which also includes Stephen Lang, Rory Cochrane, Jesse Plemons, and Timothée Chalamet, requires a skilled director. Scott Cooper, through past works like Out of the Furnace, Black Mass, and Crazy Heart (which earned Jeff Bridges an Oscar), has proven his ability to bring something special out in the actors he works with. He handles the screenplay, which he adapted himself from Donald E. Stewart's manuscript, with deep feeling. Hostiles' dialogue is electric, and the portrayal of the American landscape is striking. The deeply nuanced performances and mesmerizing narrative add up to there being much to admire in Hostiles. In the end, it is a simple retelling of a classic lesson of abandoning prejudices. Though set in the past, its intended message is timeless, and it speaks loud and clear
Film Review Western Hostiles Christian Bale Rosamund Pike Scott Cooper Revisionist Western Prejudice Redemption Timeless Message
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