Let me start out by saying that I'm not the world's biggest western fan; generally, they all really blend together for me and aren't very remarkable.
But this film, which was produced in Indiana on a shoestring budget, has a special blend of intrigue, action and biblicism that it really set itself apart.
Let's address something, before going further: as I noted, this isn't a Hollywood production-it was made by someone from the Indianapolis area as a follow-up to an award-winning short film. But you wouldn't know it; the production quality is extraordinary. Even more incredible, it's also director Dylan Query's first feature-length film. So, too, is it lead actor and writer Jacob Stieneker's. For neither of them, though, would you know it.
(I should also note here that while I do not know Query, I do know his fiancé. But I put my love for movies above most all else-ask my wife-so that's playing no role in this review.)
This film is at its heart about revenge, and the pains people take to get it, even if it might ultimately leave them hollow.
It is one of the most beautifully shot movies I've seen this year, and it is fantastically written. The actors-many of whom, like Stieneker, are making their feature-length debut-fit their roles well and really rose to the occasion.
While there were a few editing choices that I might have made differently, and some of the pacing felt uneven (particularly in the film's first half), it was a strong production-one that carried suspense and titillation throughout. It's certainly a movie worthy of the big screen treatment it's getting over the next few week's, just as much as some of the bigger studios' films I've seen lately.
This movie isn't playing widely right now, though the production crews are working to change that. I hope they do, because it's certainly worth giving it a shot.
SCORE: 8.5/10 (From someone who is not a big western fan, I advise that if you have a chance to see it, you should.)
