Hidden Movie Gem: “Appaloosa”
Today’s Hidden Movie Gem guest post is from Kristin Kroeger.
Movie Title: Appaloosa
Year: 2008
Writers: Robert Knott and Ed Harris, based on the novel by Robert Parker
Lead Actors: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zellweger, Jeremy Irons
Director: Ed Harris
Plot Summary: “Two friends hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow.”
Why I Think This Movie Is a Hidden Gem: Every year, I compile a Top 10 Favorite Movies list. Often, I find that my #1 movie of the year and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ choice for Best Picture are not the same. In 2008, my top three choices (Appaloosa, Grand Torino, and The Wrestler) received only two nominations between them, both for The Wrestler.
Appaloosa was completely overlooked by the Academy, probably because few members had an opportunity to see it. It was released in October, just a little too early for Oscar Season, with no fanfare whatsoever; it played in theaters for a few weeks and then disappeared to languish in the rarely browsed Western aisle at the DVD mart. And yet, I knew even as the end credits began, that it would be in my top three for the year, and I was pretty sure it would hold the #1 spot. As it turned out, my prediction was correct — after viewing all of the Oscar contenders, epics, award winners, and critic picks, I placed Appaloosa at the top of my list with no need for re-evaluation. I’ve watched the film numerous times since (generally while forcing a friend to watch it for the first time), and it remains one of my favorite films of all time.
Appaloosa is full of wonderful surprises, and Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everett Hicks (Viggo Mortensen) are unforgettable characters. I am hesitant to reveal too much about what makes the movie so compelling and emotionally satisfying because it really ought to be experienced from an unspoiled perspective.
The IMDB plot summary promises the well-worn story of the betrayal that inevitably occurs when a woman comes between two best friends. As a seasoned movie-viewer, I have little interest in seeing that story played out again. Appaloosa, however, does not tell that story. It tells a better one.
The film is also a western, so it’s difficult to avoid adding standard genre paradigms to one’s expectations. I enjoy a good western, although I prefer that even this reliable genre bring something new to the table in the 21st century. Appaloosa deftly fulfills those expectations.
Finally, I frequently describe Appaloosa as one of the most touching love stories I’ve ever seen. The fact that it’s a western and a love story and the two main characters are dudes doesn’t mean it’s anything like Brokeback Mountain, though. It’s not about that epic, passionate, against-all-odds love that fills seats over Memorial Day weekend. It’s about a depth of feeling that naturally materializes over a dozen years of riding and working together — a deep and genuine combination of trust, respect, and loyalty as compelling as any amorous relationship between couples of any gender you might find in movies today.
My Favorite Moment in the Movie: There isn’t a moment in this movie I don’t love. However, in one scene, Everett “bargains” with a Native American from a tribe that has threatened his camp and companions. The entire exchange takes place in silence. It is a brilliantly constructed scene which probably didn’t look like much on the page but is remarkable on the screen.
My Favorite Dialogue in the Movie: All the dialogue in Appaloosa is simple and concise — characters speak only when it’s necessary, and Ed Harris, who co-wrote and directed, does not shy away from silence. If nobody needs to speak, he allows the action to tell the story without cluttering it up with a lot of talk.
In particular, the dialogue between Virgil and Everett is limited in frequency and verbosity. These men have ridden and worked together longer than most marriages last; they don’t need to say much to each other, so they don’t. When they speak, whether to each other or to others, they convey exactly what they mean to say — no more and no less.
Here is one of the more entertaining dialogue exchanges:
Dean: You knocked my teeth out.
Virgil: Well, Colt makes a heavy firearm. That’s a fact. (beat) Who are you riding for?
Dean: Bragg.
Virgil (to Everett): Think Bragg’s attempting to frighten us?
Everett: Be my guess.
Virgil (to Dean): What’s your name?
Dean: Dean.
Virgil: Well, Dean, go back to Mr. Bragg and report that we ain’t too frightened.
Dean: Mr. Bragg ain’t gonna like that you hit me.
Virgil: I don’t guess you liked it all that much yourself, Dean.
Key Things You Should Look for when Watching this Movie: Following an opening scene designed to set up the movie, the entire story is told from Everett’s POV. As Virgil’s story unfolds, the audience remains on the outside of certain events along with Everett. This establishes a strong bond with the character, even though Virgil seems to be the more active of the two.
Every time the story has an opportunity to go the cliché route, it follows the characters instead of the expectations.
Yes, that IS Tom Petty singing the song during the end credits; it’s called “Scare Easy,” and it was recorded by Petty with his band, Mudcrutch.
The images behind the names in the end credits all match the person’s character or role on the set.
Movie Trailer:
Thanks, Kristin! To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!
Tomorrow: Another Hidden Movie Gem!
Note: At this point, we have 25 guest posts. We are shooting for 31. If you’d like to submit a post for one of your favorite Hidden Movie Gems, please use the above template and email to me.
Also I’m looking for a special horror gem to post on Halloween Day.
You’ve done a great job so far, folks. Let’s finish this series strong!