Movie Loner

Westerns appear to be in the midst of a revival. It’s not a worldwide revolution by any means, but the once dormant genre has started to produce a few more offerings in recent years. Films like Open Range, 3:10 To Yuma and Appaloosa have all garnered attention thanks in part to the willingness of actors like Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe and Ed Harris to use their pull to help get them greenlit. I’ve always wondered if there are stacks of western scripts piled in studio offices collecting dust. Do screenwriters still pen these kinds of stories or is it simply a lost art? Maybe studio execs believe there just isn’t a market for such movies in the age of the Internet. I’m not certain of the answer, but it’s nice to see westerns on the big screen again. It’s the perfect genre for the theater experience.

In 1880’s Australia, a notorious gang led by the Burns bothers is wanted for rape and murder. By the books lawman Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone) is hired to rid the country of its scourge. Upon capturing two of the brothers, Stanley makes an offer to middle brother Charlie (Guy Pearce). He gives him nine days to hunt down the eldest brother and leader of the gang, Arthur, and bring him in, or the youngest Burns, Mikey, will hang from the gallows. Charlie has no choice but to agree, and sets off into the unforgiving country to find his vicious brother. Meanwhile, Captain Stanley must keep the bloodthirsty locals from exacting mob justice on Mikey. In addition, his marriage to Martha (Emily Watson) is falling apart. Charlie can’t go through with his mission, but will he allow Arthur to continue his reign of terror? It is just one of several moral conundrums faced by the men and women in The Proposition.

Written by Nick Cave (yes, the singer) and Directed by John Hillcoat, the film treads ethereal and spiritual territory. The land depicted is harsh and essentially feral. Captain Stanley’s belief in proper justice slowly erodes along with his sanity. There is no such thing as civility. The law of the land is lawlessness. Martha represents innocence and truth, but even she becomes an unknowing participant in the brutality. Every character is corrupt and murderous. Stanley soon discovers that his role is merely symbolic in nature. His power is false. Even he must adhere to the will of the masses. In a film where everyone is guilty of something, it’s difficult to discern good from bad. In a world consumed by evil, all it takes is one good deed to be labeled a hero.

There are a host of excellent performances to praise. Winstone stands out playing the conflicted Captain Stanley, as does Danny Huston who portrays the despicable Arthur Burns. Huston is one of those underrated actors who always manages to leave a lasting impression (Birth, The Constant Gardener). Pearce and Watson are also quite good. The film is graphic in its depiction of violence and does a credible job addressing the issue of “eye-for-an-eye” justice. If you’re looking for cheery landscapes and neat resolutions, The Proposition is not for you. However, if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty watching a band of nasty individuals devoid of humanity, then kick back and enjoy.

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