|
| . |
|
All the Pretty Horses 2000 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Billy Bob Thornton
PG-13, 116 min. (violence, some sexuality) |
 |
Starring: Matt Damon, Henry Thomas, Lucas Black, Rubén Blades, Penélope Cruz, Bruce Dern, Robert Patrick, Sam Shepard, Miriam Colon, Julio Mechoso
Producers: Robert Salerno, Billy Bob Thornton
Screenplay: Ted Tally
Cinematography: Barry Markowitz
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Released: 12.25.00 (Wide) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
One unfortunate part of the movie industry is studio executives that think movies shouldn't be longer than
two and one-half hours long, no matter how involving or complex the story may be. This is what eventually
catches up to All The Pretty Horses, which is a film with a lot of potential; potential that was obviously
cut short in the editing room. The lack of characterization in the film is what prevents it from moving
from an average film to a really good film. And that's a shame.
Director Billy Bob Thornton has a good story here, and he directs it pretty well considering much of it
was cut by editors. He presents the story of two young cowboys, John Cole (Matt Damon) and Lacey Rawlins
(Henry Thomas), who travel to Mexico to find work after losing their land in Texas. They are eventually
joined by a boy, Jimmy Blevins (Lucas Black, from Sling Blade), who entangles them in a horse
stealing raid, although the horse they are stealing was Jimmy's horse that was taken from him.
After John and Lacey part ways from Jimmy, they find work on a ranch from a wealthy Mexican horse trader
who has a beautiful young daughter named Alejandra (Penelope Cruz). John falls in love with her, against
her parents' wishes, and a result the Mexican authorities track John and Lacey down for their part in the horse
theft. They are forced to give up Jimmy, meaning they will be set free if he is allowed to be executed for
the crime, but not after John and Lacey are sent to prison.
They are eventually freed because of a deal Alejandra makes with her father to not see John again if he
is released from prison to return to America. The movie was about the relationship between John and
Alejandra, but is never given much time to develop on screen because of all the editing. It's what is
sorely missing in the film, and that's what hurts it in the end. We don't care that much about the two
because we haven't seen much of their love for each other.
In many ways the movie works well, especially the cinematography, which is first-rate. The story is a
good one, but is cut short because of time restraints. It will be interesting to see if a director's cut
is released on video, because it could turn out to be a really good movie.
© 2000 Jonathan Cornwell
|
 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
© 2000 - present ReelCriticReviews
All movie pictures are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of their respective holders
Their use on this site is for informational purposes only and does not imply ownership
|
|
