Movie : Unforgiven

A reformed killer is working a small farm, raising his two young children on his own. He’s staying loyal to his departed wife in that he will continue to walk the path of the righteous. It’s not easy for him. He is offered a chance to pick up his gun one more time to collect a bounty on two cowboys who cut a whore. He struggles with the offer but decides to take the job. He’s older and things have changed. Does he still have the killer instinct to do the job especially when he comes up against the law which is run by a sheriff who might be as sadistic as he once was? Saddle up with William Munny and take a ride into destiny.

Clint knows how to tell a story with a camera and he tells a good one here. He does not waste any of the things at his disposal. A good script, perfect locations, fantastic cinematography and top notch casting. The look of the film is part of its appeal. Eastwood and his team create a real time and place that we are swept up in. The story stays focused and we are engaged. He puts some real bumps and warts on this one.

Performances are up to the challenge. From the women in the whore house to the young cowboys and deputies, townsfolk etc. Richard Harris in a supporting role is memorable as English Bob (He even has his own biographer along). All dandy with more than a touch of killer in him.

I really like Clint’s work in this. You really feel the inner struggle he’s having, the promise to his wife to change his ways. This is a perfect role for him. When the switch goes off and he reverts back to his old ways, Eastwood handles it perfectly. You believe that he was a bad ass at one time.

One of Eastwood’s best choices was to cast Gene Hackman. He is absolutely lights out. Hackman has always been one of my favorite actors and as Little Bill in this movie he solidifies that. No scene chewing maniac just a down to earth scary son of a bitch who thinks he’s a carpenter. Lots going on in this character. Like Munny, he’s trying to change but his past is too deeply rooted in his makeup.  He owns every scene he’s in. Nothing more unnerving than a unpredictable violent man. You have to have the presence, chops and commitment to pull this off. He has it in spades. Great work Gene.

I hadn’t watched a new Eastwood film for years. Just drifted away from his work. So it took me a while to get to this film because of that. It was more than  a nice surprise, it is a fantastic motion picture (Plus a duster). So many memorable scenes make up this film. Eastwood was firing on all chambers in front and behind the camera. It’s a slow burn with a perfect ending. He made a good one. This flick looks great.

“I’ll see you in hell William Munny”