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6/3/2008
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3:10 to Yuma (2007)
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Christian Bale and Russell Crowe star in this enjoyable Western from director James Mangold. Bale stars as Dan Evans, a farmer who, in an effort to earn some money for his struggling ranch and win respect from his hot-headed son, agrees to help escort notorious outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) to a nearby town where he will be put on a train to Yuma and hanged there. Matters are complicated by Wade’s gang who are hot on their heels, attacks from Apaches, and Wade’s sardonic and violent nature which unsettles his captors.
Bale and Crowe make an engaging team, and their scenes together are sometimes comical, often intense and always compelling. When A-listers are paired in films it’s always interesting to see who comes off best in the ensuing act-off, and this is no exception. Bale gets points for sincerity and dependability but Crowe wins simply for looking like he’s having a great time; his Ben Wade is cocky, smart and ruthless. He charms a barmaid into bed in less than five minutes, impresses Evans’s son, and even makes Evans’s wife jittery in just a few moments alone with him. He’s no caricature though; Wade’s confidence is justified by his ability and experience – this is a man who knows the score, who knows he’s going to Hell and doesn’t mind at all.
The cinematography paints a stark picture of the barren terrain, but there is also something quite beautiful about the landscape; an elegant nobility that pairs the simplicity of the land with the task of the men who traverse it. The supporting performances are good, but none really stand out. This is Bale and Crowe’s film, and their characters feel both multidimensional and true to the time period, both actors finding depth and nuance in the script that lesser performers may have overlooked. A good film, but really worth it for the performances of two actors on fine form.
Review by Catherine Leopold
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