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"Who's Missing
Anyway?" |
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Directed by Ron Howard -
Written by Ken Kaufman
Starring Tommy Lee
Jones, Cate Blanchett,
Evan Rachel Wood, Aaron
Eckhart
Distributed by Columbia -
2003 - 137mins - Rated R |
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I've always been partial to Westerns. |
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They
always seem to showcase great acting, better direction, wonderful
camerawork, and an amazing presentation of natural landscape. Plus,
they're action-packed and dramatic. As I wrote in my review of this
year's "Open Range," I have been worried that this beautiful genre was
dead and buried with John Wayne and John Ford. Kevin Costner's attempt
earlier this year pleased me very much. As good as it was, though, it
does not hold a candle to "The Missing," the best western I have seen
since "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."
What makes this film such a standout from the seemingly infinite
number of other westerns out there, is the overall style of it. It's
dark, brutal, and even supernatural. Our heroes are not just cowboys
and our villains are not just Indians. Our heroes are old men, Indians
and women and our villains are Indians and white men. The characters
never preach and act one-dimensional; the audience gets to know these
characters, understand them, and truly care about them.
A dark and violent western may seem like an odd choice for director
Ron Howard, mostly known for more cuddly and brighter films (Plus, he
was Opie!), but Howard has claimed to have wanted to direct a western
for most of his career, and I now see why. He directs with energy,
fueled by a true love of the genre. I think Ford would be proud.
The acting: for all of you who only know Cate Blanchett as that elf in
Lord of the Rings, I highly suggest you check this film out simply for
her. She is absolutely amazing in this film (Oscar worthy, even).
She's Maggie, a single woman who runs a ranch and medical service
while trying to take care of her two daughters. One day, an Indian
shows up with pain in his chest. It is not an Indian, though. It is
Maggie's estranged father (Tommy Lee Jones), who ran off to live with
the Indians when she was a young child. Jones has proven himself
before to be the master under-player. Here he outdoes his best. He
takes what could have easily been a jokey, easy-to-make-fun-of
character, and makes him deep and thoughtful. Anyway, Maggie takes
care of him, but forces him on his way. Soon afterward, a group of
rogue Indians kidnap one of Maggie's daughters and ride off to Mexico
to sell her as a slave. Maggie is forced to team up with her father in
an exciting chase to save her daughter's life, and in the process, she
gets to know her father for the first time.
The film plays out like a darker, more brutal version of "The
Searchers." They are not facing just ordinary Indians, though. They
are led by a male witch (a menacing Erik Schwieg) who can use spells
to slow them down. The entire supernatural bit could have been stupid
and corny, but here is comes off as mysterious and terrifying.
No matter how hard I try, I cannot say enough praise for this film. I
can tell you, though, that not everyone will like it. Those who expect
a traditional western will be shocked, and those who do not expect to
witness some gruesome and gut-churning violence will be horrified.
But if you appreciate the genre, anyone in the cast, or Ron Howard,
you will like "The Missing." In twenty years, it may even be a
classic. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
Email
Me! |
TC Candler's Comment
I didn't
buy Tommy Lee Jones... The rest of the film is
serviceable.
Richard Propes' Comment
n/a
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