In a Valley of Violence

Paul (Ethan Hawke) is a cowboy who travels with the only company of his dog Abbie. In an attempt to shorten the path that will take them to Mexico, the gunslinger and his dog make a stop in a small, apparently quiet town, where they meet some outlaws and the son -Gilly (James Ransone)- of the sheriff (John Travolta) with whom he has a turbulent conflict. Taking place a threatening confrontation, and in order to avoid greater evils, they decide to leave the place immediately. Keep Your Finger on the Trigger !.

Ti West directs this peculiar western that includes: vengeance, shootings, desert dust, corruption and bloody showdown. The film is made in somewhat similar style to typical spaghetti Westerns with usual theme: a merciless vendetta. Dealing with a mysterious stranger and a random act of violence drag a town of misfits and nitwits into the lethal crosshairs of revenge. Well crafted Western with interesting screenplay; though we had already seen the main issue of the film before and better in other movies. The story is almost terrific as the drifter comes to strange town just in time to reckoning villagers and bandits. Although atmospheric, it's also downbeat and sometimes just downright nasty. This violent picture contains a powerful examination of morality and hypocrisy on people of a little town. The film owes a considerable debt to ¨Clint Eastwood's High Plain Drifter¨ (which was a kind of remake to ¨Sergio Garrone's The Strangers Gundown¨) taking several elements from this film, as well as Sergio Leone's others.

And a good cast of actors led by Ethan Hawke and John Travolta, who play the stranger with a tragic past and the villainous marshall who becomes a peacekeeper. As the story progresses, providing its characters with all the characteristic elements of the genre. They are accompanied by two beautiful women, previously promising figures and today sufficiently established: Taissa Farmiga and Karen Gillan.

Director Ti West frecuently uses focus on the faces and bodies of our protagonists to show the despair and unsettling happenings, adding brilliant cinematography by cameraman Eric Robbins , suspenseful musical score by Jeff Grace and eliptical edition. The film could be described as a figurative immersion into the meanderings of the starring's vengeful psyche. The motion picture was well written/produced/directed by Ti West. He is a notorious writer and director known for "Pearl" (2022), "X" (2022) and "The Innkeepers" (2011). And also directed "Cabin fever 2: The spring fever" (2009) but after extensive re-editing and re-shooting of by the producers of this film, West requested to have his name removed from the movie and replaced with the popular pseudonym Alan Smithee; since he was not a member of the DGA his request was denied by the producers and he remains credited as the film's director. And he has directed several episodes of notorious television series, such as: ¨Wayward Pines¨, ¨Scream¨,¨Soundtrack¨, The Resident¨, ¨Chambers¨, ¨The passage¨, ¨The Exorcist¨, ¨Outcast¨, ¨South of Hell¨. ¨In a Valley of Violence¨rating : 6/10. The flick will appeal Western genre enthusiasts and Ethan Hawke fans.

This film tells the story of a lone man who travels around with his dog in the cowboy country. The lone man stumbles upon a town where the son of the marshal picks a fight with him, leading to a series of bloody revenges.

"In a Valley of Violence" has a very simple and linear plot. The lone man is aggravated, there is revenge then more counter-revenge. The simplicity of the plot means that the pace is quite slow. I find the first half rather uneventful and lacks excitement. The second half picks up and is much better. I like Ethan Hawke's calm character, standing up to the son of the marshal, who is the local bully. The local bully evokes disgust as he is very unlikable.

I am not usually a fan of Western films, but "In a Valley of Violence" is alright to watch.

Paul (Ethan Hawke) is riding to Mexico with his dog Abbie. He's a former soldier who has had enough of violence after killing Indian civilians. In the town of Denton, he is challenged to a fight by braggard Deputy Gilly Martin (James Ransone). Only after Abbie is threatened, Paul decides to knock out Gilly with one punch. Ellen (Karen Gillan) is Gilly's equally annoying girlfriend. The only friendly face is Mary-Anne (Taissa Farmiga). Gilly's father Marshal Clyde Martin (John Travolta) pushes him to leave the town and he's happy to do so. Gilly and his friends catch up to Paul and kill his dog.

From the opening credits, this is trying to be a spaghetti western. The outlines of the genre is absolutely there. The problem is that everybody seems to be a bit off. Ethan Hawke is being too modern in his performance. He should really be the man with no name. As an actor, he's not great at being quiet. He's too fidgety. Compare this to Keanu Reeves in John Wick and that's what this needs. Ransone is too weak and doesn't pose a real threat. Karen Gillan is too silly. Taissa Farmiga is at least trying to do good work. Travolta is completely wrong. As I'm watching this, I keep thinking of how it could have been done right. The movie in my head is vastly better than the one on the screen.

If you are a fan of classic Westerns, you'll find yourself glued to the screen enjoying every minute of this film.

Disclosure: I am 62 years old as I write this, so I've seen 'em all. And watching this one, I couldn't help feel like it was 1967, or thereabouts, what with the steady camera-work, the superb cinematography capturing all the dusty glory of New Mexico, U.S.A.

And the soundtrack! Not some canned muzak, not some minimalist guitar scratchings, but a full-blown beauty of a musical composition that took me right back to the Spaghetti classics.

Now, this won't win an Oscar, but dang if it didn't make my Friday night popcorn and beer movie night.

"In A Valley of Violence" is a total winner. p.s....the dog is an unbelievably good actor.

In a Valley of Violence stars Ethan Hawke as a wandering deserter, Paul, who happens upon the town of Denton. Run by a tough but fair Marshall, and his psychotic son and cronies, the town has seen better days. Paul is just looking to pick up some supplies for his journey to Mexico, but runs afoul of the Marshall's son. He tries his best not to become involved, but soon finds himself gunning for revenge in a town that needs saving.

This was a well made Western heavily stylized after many classic Spaghetti Westerns. It had many campy elements, and presented a lower budget sheen that really nails the Spaghetti Western feel. The acting was competently done, with some moments feeling cheesy and slightly comical, and others offering some heart. The direction was solid, with scenes, close ups, vistas and so on handled with care. The story itself was predictable, but far from bland. The relationship between Paul and his dog, Abbey, was especially well done. All in all, this was a fun and campy Western very much paying homage to the Spaghetti Westerns of the '60's and '70's. It is worthy of a watch for those interested in Western films, and certainly for fans of the more campy Spaghetti films.