Appaloosa

This movie is very much like a typical cattle drive. Slow moving but very satisfying. If you like Westerns with the pace of Lonesome Dove or Open Range, you should like this movie as well. I'm not saying it is as good as those two however. If your idea of a good Western is Wild Wild West, then you should maybe avoid this movie.

Ed Harris stars, directs, produces, and had a hand in the screenplay. While this is not his best effort as an actor, it is a respectable directing effort. There is nothing gratuitous in this movie. Everything is there for a reason.

Viggo Mortensen also gives an understated performance. Not as interesting as his Hidalgo character, it is almost as if both the character AND the actor are bored with the role. Patience is needed to see this story to the end. But if you have known any real cowboys, you will recognize the realities in this portrayal.

Jeremy Irons and Renée Zellweger also star with pivotal supporting roles. Their characters are actually more interesting that the headliners. Irons has always made intersting choices as bad guys. Ms. Zellweger is new at it (being a bad "guy"), but does a very nice job here.

Watch this movie with someone who is not in a hurry.