SPOILER WARNING!!
James Mangold's filmography shows his diversity as a director.From Copland(1997) to Walk the Line(2005) and now 3:10 to Yuma ,James Mangold has directed a dirty cop drama,a biopic and now a western.3:10 to Yuma is is a remake of the 1957 film 3:10 to Yuma, making it the second adaptation of Elmore Leonard's short story.I have not seen the original movie ,so i can't comment on the differences between the two movies.The movie is divided in three parts:the first is about the events before the arrest of Ben Wade (Russell Crowe),the second is about the events during the journey to the train station and the third is about the arrival in Contention and about the subsequent events.
3:10 to Yuma is a western but it is also a character drama.It is a character drama because a significant part of the plot centers (around) the two main characters:Ben Wade and Dan Evans (Christian Bale).Ben Wade is a wanted outlaw,who has stolen thousands of dollars and who has a loyal lang,while Dan Evans is a impoverished rancher,a family man, a Civil War veteran,the service of whom in the army has influenced his present life to a significant extent.He is struggling to make ends meet and has to face the criticism of his wife and of his older son.When Wade is arrested (with the help of Dan Evans),Evans is enlisted to guard and deliver him to the Contention train station.On the way to the train station,the escort team faces various challenges,hostile conversations take place,people are killed.Wade tries to escape,however the group finally arrives to the destination.
Dan Evans is commited to deliver Wade for arrest.While others abandon,he continues.The last part of the movie is the last stand of Evans.During this time,Evans and Wade come to some short of understanding and respect.Although Wade is an outlaw ,he shows that some sense of morality and respect still exists in him.He is an ambiguous character and so is the ending of the movie.
Russell Crowe and Christian Bale give powerful perfomances.The music is ,at times,great and the direction is also very good.3:10 to Yuma is fresh take on an old movie genre.It is a western with substance.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZeroJ1BK6GQ
Friday, January 18, 2008
3:10 to Yuma Review
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