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Appaloosa

6.2

18,631

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Original title

Appaloosa

Year

2008

Running time

107 min.

Country

United States

Director

Ed Harris

Screenwriter

Ed Harris, Robert Knott. Novel: Robert B. Parker

Cast

Music

Jeff Beal

Cinematography

Dean Semler

Producer

New Line Cinema, Groundswell Productions. Distributor: Warner Bros.

Genre

Western. Drama | Friendship

Synopsis

Set in 1882 in the Old West territory of New Mexico, Appaloosa revolves around city marshal Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and his deputy and partner Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen), who have made their reputation as peacekeepers in the lawless towns springing up in the untamed land. In the small mining community of Appaloosa, a ruthless, powerful rancher named Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) has allowed his band of outlaws to run roughshod over the town. After the cold-blooded murder of Appaloosa's city marshal, Cole and Hitch are hired to bring the murderer to justice. While establishing new authority with equal parts grit and guns, Cole and Hitch meet provocative newcomer Allison French (Renée Zellweger), whose unconventional ways threaten to undermine their progress and to destroy the two lawmen's decade-old partnership.

Critics' reviews

"A terrific Western, a potently acted powerhouse that sticks in the mind and the heart. (...) Though 'Appaloosa' is shot through with thunderous action and nail-biting suspense, the movie finds its soul in its main characters. (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)"

Peter Travers: Rolling Stone
"Thankfully, its gestures toward grandiosity are superficial and few. (...) the movie is worth watching. It’s not a great western, and, as I’ve suggested, it doesn’t really try to be."

A. O. Scott: The New York Times
"It turns out to be a satisfying, if occasionally wandering, adventure"

Connie Ogle: Miami Herald
"A throwback to the age when Westerns were quaint."

Owen Gleiberman: Entertainment Weekly
"A fine dramatic comedy with fresh characters"

Kirk Honeycutt: The Hollywood Reporter
"Harris as a director allows the actors screen time to live (...) The shootin' scenes are handled with economy (…) Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)"

Roger Ebert: rogerebert.com
"Harris is a major asset in a film that is entertaining but somewhat unfocused and occasionally badly cast."

Claudia Puig: USA Today
Show 6 more reviews

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Ranking Lists Position

42 My Favorite Westerns (172)
55 My Top 10 Movies from 2008 (75)

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Appaloosa

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