Open Range Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Cowboys get mad, guns go bang, and suddenly everyone’s buying real estate in a town they shot up; all thanks to an old man’s craving for Swiss chocolate.

🍿 Open Range: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Cattle Drive and Initial Conflict

Boss Spearman, Charley Waite, Mose, and Button are freegrazers driving cattle across Montana in 1882. They value their independence and live by a code of honor. When Mose ventures into the town of Harmonville for supplies, he encounters hostility from Denton Baxter, a wealthy landowner who despises freegrazers. This sets the stage for escalating conflict.

Escalation and Loss

Mose is brutally beaten and arrested by the corrupt Sheriff Poole, who is controlled by Baxter. Boss and Charley retrieve Mose, but Baxter’s men later attack their camp. Mose is killed, Button is severely wounded, and their dog, Dig, also dies. Fueled by grief and a sense of injustice, Boss and Charley vow revenge.

Preparing for a Showdown

Boss and Charley take Button to Doc Barlow’s sister, Sue, for medical attention, leading to a budding romance between Charley and Sue. They then prepare for a final confrontation with Baxter and his men. Charley reveals his past as a skilled gunfighter, adding weight to their impending battle.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Charley Waite (Kevin Costner): A former gunslinger with a troubled past, Charley seeks redemption as a freegrazer and finds love with Sue Barlow.
• Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall): A seasoned and principled cattleman, Boss leads his crew with integrity and a strong moral compass.
• Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon): The ruthless and corrupt landowner who uses violence and intimidation to control Harmonville and suppress freegrazers.
• Sue Barlow (Annette Bening): A kind-hearted and independent woman, Sue provides medical care and finds a connection with Charley.
• Button (Diego Luna): A young and loyal member of Boss’s cattle crew who is injured and nearly killed.
• Mose (Abraham Benrubi): The gentle, wagon driver and cook, Mose is a loyal member of Boss’s cattle crew who becomes a victim of Baxter’s violence.
• Sheriff Poole (James Russo): The corrupt sheriff is in Baxter’s pocket, enforcing his cruel rule with violence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Boss Spearman: “Man’s got a right to protect his property and his life.” – Boss states his simple code of honor when discussing their right to defend themselves against Baxter.
• Charley Waite: “I never had any problem with killing.” – Charley reveals a dark truth about his past when preparing for the inevitable gunfight.
• Boss Spearman: “Ours ain’t writ by no tin star, bought and paid for, Marshall. It’s writ by us, and we aim to enforce it.” – Boss makes it clear they will seek justice outside the corrupt legal system.
• Sue Barlow: “I don’t have the answers, Charley. But I know that people get confused in this life about what they want, and what they’ve done, and what they think they should’ve because of it. Everything they think they are or did, takes hold so hard that it won’t let them see what they can be.” – Sue offers Charley insight into overcoming his troubled past and embracing a better future.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $22,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $58,331,254
• Worldwide Gross: $68,296,293

💥 Open Range Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved Open Range. The scenery was breathtaking, and I was completely drawn into the story. The gunfight at the end had me on the edge of my seat. There’s something so raw and honest about this movie, the chemistry between Costner and Duvall felt genuine. The love story was sweet and understated. It reminded me why I love Westerns in the first place. I was smiling the whole drive home and recommended it to my friends the next day.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Westerns”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven stories”
  • “Viewers interested in themes of honor, justice, and redemption”
  • “Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gunfights”
  • “Some thematic elements may be intense for younger viewers”
  • “Brief language”
  • “Death of animals”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Costner delivers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant Western. Duvall’s performance is a masterclass in understated grit. The film is slow-paced, it allows the characters and landscapes to breathe, creating a powerful sense of authenticity. The final shootout is a brutal and exhilarating culmination.
• Rolling Stone: “Open Range offers a classic Western experience with stunning cinematography and strong performances. While the plot is familiar, the execution is top-notch. Costner proves his directing prowess, and Duvall steals every scene he’s in. It’s a slow burn that pays off with a satisfying and action-packed climax.

Audience Reactions

The final gunfight was intense and realistic.: Viewers praised the authentic portrayal of violence and the high stakes.

Robert Duvall’s performance was exceptional.: Many viewers considered Duvall’s portrayal of Boss Spearman to be a standout performance.

Overall Consensus: Open Range is generally praised as a well-crafted Western with strong performances, stunning visuals, and a satisfying, albeit violent, climax. The slow pace may not appeal to all, but it contributes to the film’s sense of authenticity and emotional depth.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Kevin Costner originally had top billing over Robert Duvall but insisted that Duvall receive top billing instead.”
• “Costner admitted in an interview that he always wanted to film a scene where he fans a six-gun way over the realistic amount of shots, and that this scene was very enjoyable to make.”

🖥️ How to Watch Open Range?

Open Range is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable or satellite availability. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also widely available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Open Range, you might like these similar films:

• Unforgiven (1992): Both films explore the themes of violence, redemption, and the consequences of a life lived with a gun, with a retired gunslinger being drawn back into action.
• Dances with Wolves (1990): Directed by and starring Kevin Costner, it is an epic Western with a similar visual style and focus on character development.
• Lonesome Dove (1989): An epic miniseries about a cattle drive, featuring Robert Duvall in a similarly iconic Western role.
• Appaloosa (2008): Another modern Western that focuses on a lawman and his partner facing off against a corrupt rancher, with a similar emphasis on character and setting.

🛒 Open Range Related Products

• Open Range (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]: High-definition transfer with special features including behind-the-scenes footage, director’s commentary, and deleted scenes.
• Frontier Classics Western Cowboy Revolver Toy Cap Gun – Diecast Metal with Antique Finish: Authentic die-cast metal replica of a classic Western revolver, complete with an antique finish for added realism.
• The Western Film Music of Dimitri Tiomkin: High Noon, Red River, Giant: Dimitri Tiomkin wrote a lot of the most influential and popular movie music, and it can be heard in several other influential Westerns like Open Range.
• Open Range (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Audio CD: Relive the sweeping emotion of the film with Michael Kamen’s powerful and evocative score. Features haunting melodies and dramatic orchestral arrangements.

🎧 Soundtrack

Open Range features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Holding All My Love for You” – performed by Julianna Raye
• “Open Range Theme” – performed by Michael Kamen

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Robert Duvall’s Favorite Role Of All Time

Did you know Robert Duvall has a favorite role? Turns out, it’s closely tied to Open Range! Hear him talk about it – it really makes you appreciate his performance even more.

20 Things You Didn’t Know About Open Range [2003]

Think you know everything about Open Range? This video reveals 20 fascinating behind-the-scenes facts that will blow your mind. I was genuinely surprised by some of these!

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