The only way I can think to describe it is what a Western directed by Wes Anderson might look like. Which, of course, sounds a bit oxymoronic, and is probably the root of the film's problems. At the same time, though, it's also what makes the film interesting. To be honest, I can't quite make up my mind about much regarding this film, including whether I even liked it or not. But it's something different and the run time is painless, so I would consider it worth a shot if you have even the slightest interest.
Slow West is a lyrical western in the mold of Jarmusch's Dead Man, about a young Scotsman tracking the (unrequited) love of his life in the Old West, with the help of a bounty hunter who at first means to collect on her and her father's heads. That's the slow-burning plot, but what it's really about is the transformational power of love and death. It's the kid's love that drives the picture forward, and that transforms the bounty hunter's world view, though the influence goes both ways. Writer-director John Maclean has an inventive visual style that delights and shocks, even if his symbolism is sometimes a little heavy-handed. It's a style that is perfectly suited to the New Zealand locations standing in for the American West, a Middle-Earth littered with bodies acting as surreal backdrop for the story. It's gorgeous. A quiet film punctuated by flashes of violence.
"The only way I can think to describe it is what a Western directed by Wes Anderson might look like." EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT WHILE WATCHING.
I really enjoyed the movie. Beautiful shots followed by an interesting and different perspective about some Western cliches, it worries about the aftermath of action rather than the action itself.
I liked the pace and the acting. In a way, It's a great movie for fans of Sam Peckinpah - reflective and not shy about counting the cost of people's actions (though this point is not laboured over).
The movie was a Western from the eyes of an optimistic teenager in love. In theory, sounds awesome. In practice, misaligned casting, poor character development, and honestly, I wish the director went even further with his auteurship. Some very cool shots for a relatively low budget though. Also some pretty bad ones. 3/5.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 9 of 9
pickledelephant
Cinematography porn.dorkusmalorkus
The only way I can think to describe it is what a Western directed by Wes Anderson might look like. Which, of course, sounds a bit oxymoronic, and is probably the root of the film's problems. At the same time, though, it's also what makes the film interesting. To be honest, I can't quite make up my mind about much regarding this film, including whether I even liked it or not. But it's something different and the run time is painless, so I would consider it worth a shot if you have even the slightest interest.Siskoid
Slow West is a lyrical western in the mold of Jarmusch's Dead Man, about a young Scotsman tracking the (unrequited) love of his life in the Old West, with the help of a bounty hunter who at first means to collect on her and her father's heads. That's the slow-burning plot, but what it's really about is the transformational power of love and death. It's the kid's love that drives the picture forward, and that transforms the bounty hunter's world view, though the influence goes both ways. Writer-director John Maclean has an inventive visual style that delights and shocks, even if his symbolism is sometimes a little heavy-handed. It's a style that is perfectly suited to the New Zealand locations standing in for the American West, a Middle-Earth littered with bodies acting as surreal backdrop for the story. It's gorgeous. A quiet film punctuated by flashes of violence.Suky-chan
"The only way I can think to describe it is what a Western directed by Wes Anderson might look like." EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT WHILE WATCHING.I really enjoyed the movie. Beautiful shots followed by an interesting and different perspective about some Western cliches, it worries about the aftermath of action rather than the action itself.
Earring72
Very offbeat western. It's ok with great cinematography and nice cast and simple story told in a quirky toneaussieflickfan
I liked the pace and the acting. In a way, It's a great movie for fans of Sam Peckinpah - reflective and not shy about counting the cost of people's actions (though this point is not laboured over).The_Comatorium
Loved the cinematography. Thought the story was a bit heavy handed. I mean, somebody literally gets salt in a fresh wound. Come on...Malena
the cinematography was awesome but the rest....total dislikeBogartBaggins
The movie was a Western from the eyes of an optimistic teenager in love. In theory, sounds awesome. In practice, misaligned casting, poor character development, and honestly, I wish the director went even further with his auteurship. Some very cool shots for a relatively low budget though. Also some pretty bad ones. 3/5.