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Open Range (2003) watch along (Patreon)

Published:
2025-01-03 17:00:15
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

What an incredible movie! Huge props to Kevin Costner. I loved the patience—it gave the story so much depth. The cinematography had me gushing the entire time; the compositions were breathtaking, and the way the shots were framed. Every single character delivered such subtle, nuanced performances.

In my outro, I went into even more detail, but this is truly a masterful, realistic Western. It felt like a personal passion project for Costner; you could sense that love and care in every scene. Visually stunning, and emotionally engaging—this film was a feast for the eyes. Especially those beautiful Canadian Rockies! LFG, Canada!

I need to dive into more Westerns because I feel like there's even more to appreciate here.

Let me know your thoughts!!

xx

ames

Files

Open Range (2003)

Comments

Red Dwarf

3:10 to Yuma (2007), Hostiles (2017), The Magnificent Seven (2016), Silverado (1985), Quigley Down Under (1990)...all my fave Westerns along with Open Range of course! Dances With Wolves (1990)

Henry Graham

Few modern directors understand the western genre as intuitively as Costner, and this is a film that's very much made in the lineage of Ford and Hawks. I love how he develops the characters and relationships in this one, it's so involving and moving, and it's beautifully acted, by Duvall especially. Also, “There’s things that gnaw at a man worse than dying” is one of my favourite lines of dialogue ever.

RFK Fan

Apologies! I should have checked closer before I sent it... At least your free to watch the making of ! Had a feeling that would be your response. Several reasons why I think this is one of the best westerns made. # 1? The script.. Outstanding. Some of the greatest movie dialog I've ever seen. Can see why it attracted Costner. # 2? Robert Duval. An acting legend that brings humanity and authenticity to every role he's ever played. # 3? Costner's incredible casting and direction. Proving DWW wasn't a one off. He was the PERFECT Charlie Wade. A man trying to escape his haunted past. Can't say enough about this film..

Catchermag

Duvall brings gravitas to a movie just by being in it, like Hackman did. This is a great movie, but Duvall in Lonesome Dove…..hell, that miniseries alone is one of the greatest Westerns ever made.

djKENTO

I love how he'll fan the hammer of the gun and 8-10 shots get fired even though it's a 6 round revolver. Costner even talks about it in the commentary and how he does NOT care about realism, he just wants the action to be exciting and how it's part of Western movie tradition.

Patrick

The Jack Bull (1999) John Cusack, John Goodman also filmed in Calgary, Alberta 🥃

Jon Noland

Kevin Costner’s new anthology Horizon: An American Saga brings a lot of what makes this movie so amazing, but it’s on such a huge epic scale. Unfortunately, with a 3 hour run time for Chapter 1, and so many different storylines, it was hit or miss with critics. I really felt like the cinematography and the attention to detail are really what set it apart from other movies and Westerns. I sincerely hope the other 3 Chapters get released!

JM63

This is a very well-made Western, and I really enjoyed this as a first watch. Dances with Wolves has more spectacular shots and sequences, but overall, as you said Ames, Costner's skill as a filmmaker seems more sure-handed and elevated here. (I really love how he gives equal weight to all layers of the frame -- he certainly took a lot of cues from classic Westerns.) What I admire most about this film is Costner's swallowing of his pride and giving the lead role and most of the best lines to Duvall. Having Duvall carry this film works a lot better than it would have the other way around, but as the bigger "name" at the time it must have been a big sacrifice for Costner. Kudos to him for putting the success of the film first. Annette Bening is great here as well, of course; I just wish she had a slightly bigger role. Great choice for your "bucket list" week, Ames! Looking forward to the next reaction.

Clay F

I liked your comments/analysis during the movie and outro. Sue is absolutely beautiful. I am like you in being glad her character wasn't a 19-25 year old (paired with the middle-aged Charley). I've watched this movie several times and like it. I like the story and the scenery. I like how raw the street shooting. I am a fan of Diego Luna (Mexican actor). The western genre is one of my top genres. Tig was a cute, handsome, and loyal dog. I like how he laid his front paws/head on the leg of the injured Mose. I think you would like the western "3:10 to Yuma" (2007) (Christian Bale, Russell Crowe), or a least I would like to hear your thoughts on it.

rtt143

I had the dvd a long time ago with BTS features. You nailed it. He was very excited doing this as his co stars will attest. He even paid a small tribute to Michael Jeter who passed shortly after . There was a scene they unfortunately cut when he was reading about the “tea set” . You could see tears falling down his cheek as he’s reading the letter

John Courtright

I've been looking forward to Open Range! It was also on my bucket list and was a first-time watch with you, Ames! I loved it! Beautifully filmed on location in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (at Stoney Indian Reservation), the landscapes were so lovely, they were their own art gallery! What amazing chemistry between between Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner! Costner was very convincing as Charley Waite but Robert Duvall!!! Duvall was off the charts as Boss Spearman! I completely agree with your comments, Ames, about the honesty and simplicity of the story, which in many ways modeled the honesty and simplicity of the two main characters (at least at this point in their lives). Annette Bening's performance as Sue Barlow was amazing and powerful, as usual! (I'll never forget her Oscar-nominated performance alongside Jodie Foster in "Nyad".) Her character portrayal in the film was perfect, nuanced and compelling! ***** SPOILERS BELOW ***** You could see the spark between Sue and Charley the moment they met one another! Beautifully acted by both Bening and Costner! Who doesn't love a romance in a Western? (At least one that's not overdone!) This one was a perfect slow burn! The idea that sometimes a person needs to do what must be done, regardless of the cost, is such an attractive premise and was so finely crafted in the film. Screenwriter Craig Storper said, "These characters don't seek violence." "But the notion that it's sometimes necessary... is the Western's most fundamental ideal."* Charley hammers this point home when he says, "Well you may not know this but there's things that gnaw at a man worse than dyin'". What a line! Once it was decided that Mose's death (and Tig's) would not go unpunished, it was fascinating to see how the story focused on Boss and Charley doing their best to put their affairs in order... essentially preparing to die. Charley telling his back-story (his confession) to Boss under the stars the night before riding into town, for what would likely be the last time. Boss buying Swiss chocolate and Cuban cigars for five dollars (see note below). Boss revealing he had previously been married and had a kid. Telling one another their true given names. Boss encouraging Charley to go back and say what needed to be said to Sue before the gun fight. It truly hammered home the dire reality of their situation! *The Story Notes for the film are fascinating! They can be found (archived) at: https://web.archive.org/web/20121224151547/http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/2012/06/story-notes-trivia-open-range.php A few other Story Notes: Production spent over one million dollars to build a town from scratch for the film since Costner didn't like any of Canada's pre-existing "Western towns". Costner says Tig's death scene was hard for him because he's "a great lover of animals, dogs in particular". Five dollars (for Swiss chocolate and Cuban cigars) might not seem like much, but in 1882 it equaled a whole month's rent for a house.

Josh B

Definitely need to see Lonesome Dove and 3:10 to Yuma to round out the best westerns made in the last few decades