I had to wait a few days to think about what to write for this. The story itself is very simple, 2 brothers life and work on their ranch, having learnt how to be "Ranchers" years before, from a man they both admire, "Bronco Henry".
The older brother Phil, is very much an aggressively natured man, with his brother George being a little more gentile and easy going. The story essentially focuses on George marrying a lady called Rose, and bringing her and her son Peter to live at the ranch.
What happens next is a showcase in how to maintain atmospheric tension for an extended period, sometimes the tension becomes almost unbearable, but it never does, there in lies the skill.
Whether it be the animosity between Phil and Rose, or the awkwardness between Phil and George, you are totally alert and focused on what is happening in each frame without distraction.
Phil doesn't much like this change, and psychologically terrorises Rose, although he does begin to warm to and build a bond with Peter. As the film goes on, secrets are revealed, toxic masculinity is replaced by pain, and conflicting emotions. In the end events take a turn, but I don't want to spoil it.
The haunting soundtrack and huge vistas, make the characters feel small against the vastness of the rough terrain. Whilst George still maintains a polished presence, Phil adapts to this harsh environment by embracing it wholeheartedly, almost admiring it.
The end is strangely satisfying yet heartbreaking, and is a wonderful examination and challenge of character stereotypes. It's not a film I could comfortably watch again and again, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it highly!
The older brother Phil, is very much an aggressively natured man, with his brother George being a little more gentile and easy going. The story essentially focuses on George marrying a lady called Rose, and bringing her and her son Peter to live at the ranch.
What happens next is a showcase in how to maintain atmospheric tension for an extended period, sometimes the tension becomes almost unbearable, but it never does, there in lies the skill.
Whether it be the animosity between Phil and Rose, or the awkwardness between Phil and George, you are totally alert and focused on what is happening in each frame without distraction.
Phil doesn't much like this change, and psychologically terrorises Rose, although he does begin to warm to and build a bond with Peter. As the film goes on, secrets are revealed, toxic masculinity is replaced by pain, and conflicting emotions. In the end events take a turn, but I don't want to spoil it.
The haunting soundtrack and huge vistas, make the characters feel small against the vastness of the rough terrain. Whilst George still maintains a polished presence, Phil adapts to this harsh environment by embracing it wholeheartedly, almost admiring it.
The end is strangely satisfying yet heartbreaking, and is a wonderful examination and challenge of character stereotypes. It's not a film I could comfortably watch again and again, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it highly!