The Premise:
After his mother sells the ranch where he spent his entire life, young Texan John Grady Cole (Matt Damon) finds himself without a home. Captivated by the romance of cowboy life South of the border, Cole and his closest friend, Lacy Rawlins (Henry Thomas) set out for Mexico towing dreams of a fresh start. On their journey, they cross paths with a reckless teenage outcast named Blevins (Lucas Black, grown up a bit since “Sling Blade”.) It’s an encounter that, unbeknownst to the young men, will eventually lead them into a world of danger. They land work with a wealthy Mexican land owner (Ruben Blades), and soon the rugged John Grady Cole falls in love with the boss’ spirited daughter, Alejandra (Penelope Cruz). The variegated experiences ultimately culminate into a vestibular maturation for the protagonist, changing his life forever.Quick Thoughts:
Billy Bob Thornton’s “All the Pretty Horses” is a movie distinctively in love with the cowboy lifestyle without glamorizing the fact that … well, that it’s in love with the cowboy lifestyle. Thornton’s original cut of the movie, I’m told, was approximately three hours long, but executives at Miramax felt it needed to be trimmed a bit. Quite a bit, actually. The running time now doesn’t exceed the two hour mark. While I would have greatly enjoyed viewing the original cut (I’ll have to wait for the DVD, I guess) my attention and interest were nonetheless captivated by the story of one young man’s maturation by way of some unforseen and daunting circumstances. Based on the book by Cormac McCarthy, the story is filmed in a way that both cherishes its setting while maintaining a degree of intimacy. The performances by Matt Damon, Henry Thomas, and Lucas Black help elevate the credibility of the circumstances these people find themselves in. Superb supporting performances bless the film with tremendous texture, especially from Miriam (“Lone Star”) Colon as Alejandra’s aunt who doesn’t condone the sprouting love between Cole and her niece, yet who seems to fully understand the conflict between the feelings involved and the distinctive danger surrounding it; and from Bruce Dern, as a judge who frees Cole from the encumbrance weighing him down, both in a legal manner as well as an emotional one. Despite all the trimming, the story still stayed with me, preying on my thoughts with its thoughtful depiction of physical, emotional, and moral maturity.