The writer churned out a lesser script here. There's decent talent in front of the camera and somehow it's still not clicking with the audience. I wouldn't have cared about how basic the camera work was if the product on screen was good.
2 things: the director should never do anything above a second unit job again & Nick Searcy compounds many issues with the script in his performance. It's already too laconic in dialogue & style that his role grinds the movie to a sentimental halt each time (3 total) he appears. It felt emotionally stunted overall with hints of life that never develop fully. Part of this is the direction, part script, and partly Searcy being a career bit performer who isn't strong enough to carry the role. The film isn't that long and it feels like an eternity waiting for him to finish. In addition he says inappropriate things and is generally uncouth despite trying to appear sensitive. He underlines just how clunky the plot is handled and how the character might have been an interesting piece in a better movie better performed.
I don't know how Cage knows anyone related to this but, he's struggling with it a bit here. It's not for lack of talent or effort either. The character is simply off and in a script that meanders everytime it should move briskly. The lead is never let loose after the opening scene and it's unclear what the movie is actually about, what the entertainment goal is. It definitely fails as an action thriller in a Western framing, or as a palatable family western film.
It also doesn't earn the emotional upheaval it purports to show. Someone is killed in the early portion of this movie off screen and the surrounding actions are just not right. The death seemed unlikely based on what was shown and the reaction afterward undercuts any emotion from the character or film. The audience is detached from a visceral experience and the juxtaposition of how the child character would feel which leads into how her being neurodivergent is grossly mishandled. The child actress has a career in the industry if she wants it. She's good and works well with Cage but, this movie is just poorly made and written.
This is not a good movie. I like bare bones films using only what is necessary to convey the story due to budget, time, etc. I know the cinematographer is talented and most of the cast are notable performers. It just doesn't come across well at all. It does have enough to warrant a single watch. I wanted to see Cage in a western revenge story and it nominally provides that. I hope Butchers Crossing is significantly better.
2 things: the director should never do anything above a second unit job again & Nick Searcy compounds many issues with the script in his performance. It's already too laconic in dialogue & style that his role grinds the movie to a sentimental halt each time (3 total) he appears. It felt emotionally stunted overall with hints of life that never develop fully. Part of this is the direction, part script, and partly Searcy being a career bit performer who isn't strong enough to carry the role. The film isn't that long and it feels like an eternity waiting for him to finish. In addition he says inappropriate things and is generally uncouth despite trying to appear sensitive. He underlines just how clunky the plot is handled and how the character might have been an interesting piece in a better movie better performed.
I don't know how Cage knows anyone related to this but, he's struggling with it a bit here. It's not for lack of talent or effort either. The character is simply off and in a script that meanders everytime it should move briskly. The lead is never let loose after the opening scene and it's unclear what the movie is actually about, what the entertainment goal is. It definitely fails as an action thriller in a Western framing, or as a palatable family western film.
It also doesn't earn the emotional upheaval it purports to show. Someone is killed in the early portion of this movie off screen and the surrounding actions are just not right. The death seemed unlikely based on what was shown and the reaction afterward undercuts any emotion from the character or film. The audience is detached from a visceral experience and the juxtaposition of how the child character would feel which leads into how her being neurodivergent is grossly mishandled. The child actress has a career in the industry if she wants it. She's good and works well with Cage but, this movie is just poorly made and written.
This is not a good movie. I like bare bones films using only what is necessary to convey the story due to budget, time, etc. I know the cinematographer is talented and most of the cast are notable performers. It just doesn't come across well at all. It does have enough to warrant a single watch. I wanted to see Cage in a western revenge story and it nominally provides that. I hope Butchers Crossing is significantly better.