The Outsider

Nope, it ain't a Clint Eastwood western. No deeply wrought moral tales or stoic heroes herein.

But it is a better than average take on the dime-a-dozen romance novel genre. First of all, gone are the distracting subplots that dot the novel written by Penelope Williamson. Second, this version is long on visual poetry. A lot can be conveyed by simply letting the camera stay on the principle characters as they convey the emotional content of the story. Third, the director takes advantage of a much better than expected cast. Naomi Watts has emerged as a powerhouse of an actress in the last few years and she does not disappoint in this role. Tim Daly is restrained and manages to convey more than a touch of humor to what could be a well-worn stereotype of the world weary gunfighter.

If you're in the mood for a simple story, well acted and pretty to look at, this one will serve you well.

This is a very satisfying western.It is set in the 19th century American West, but some elements would fit in a more modern genre. "Witness" comes to mind. There are also similarities to "Shane". A badly wounded gunfighter is nursed back to health by a young widow with a son, who happens to be a member of an Amish-like sect. The script is good with a mixture of romance, sexual tension, and enough gun play for any western fan. Of course it has its bad guys, and good guys, and a not so good guy,the gunfighter, Johnny Gualt. He is played by the talented Tim Daly who does an excellent and believable job, as does Naomi Watts. The supporting cast includes both David and Keith Carradine. The movie is currently popping up on Hallmark Channel. Its so good, it deserves a wider release, but it started on HBO, and is not likely to challenge the record for a cable western belonging to Tom Selleck and "Crossfire Trail". But, "Try it, you'll like it"

Aw, shucks, so "The Outsider" (a Showtime original so it will eventually show up in video stores) is based on the kind of a romance novel (by Penelope Williamson) that probably has a flower on the cover.

But beautiful Queensland, Australia fills in quite nicely for Montana as the usual isolated farmhouse works romantic wonders on a hardened gunman (Tim Daly, in a surprisingly convincing tough guy undergoing physical and slow psychic rehabilitation turn) and a kind, religious yet horny widow (Naomi Watt with an excellent American accent) threatened by evil cattlemen.

From the opening shots, the twist is that she makes the significant moves and decisions in her relationships, and the two leads have dynamic chemistry together.

Another twist is that we get to see two Carradines not playing brothers, and neither gets the girl.

Credit to director Randa Haines for the combination of emoting, setting, cinematography, and editing to emphasize the characters' conflicts and changes.

Very impressed with an unknown movie with mostly unknown actors. Tim Daly - who I had always considered as an actor in light comedy - was extremely impressive as a dark, possibly evil, character. In a movie that could have been just a mixture of Shane/Witness, it brought something new and impelling. It made you care - even if the ending was a little too Hollywood.

Hi: My name is Pat D'Spain, and I am from Bandera, Texas. I am posting this message to say that The Outsider is absolutely the best film I have ever seen. I can't describe how wonderfully Tim Daly and Naomi Watts fit their parts. They gave top quality performances, and the whole film was perfectly cast. The beautiful music brought this film to an ultimate level. The story is heartwarming and touching. It is portrayed with such deep feeling, and there is not a dull or boring moment. I have viewed hundreds of films and I have never been so captivated by any movie as I am this one. I have watched this film over and over partly because Naomi Watts was so good in her part, and partly because Tim Daly is absolutely the best actor I have ever seen.