End of the Rope

After watching a disaster last week I was very cautious this week... this time the Western was watchable and I could say: a pleasant one to watch, regardless the low budget and the length!

In spite of the somewhat harsh lighting and editing, Charlie Griak's cinematography was not too bad, and the actors in this film give a respectful and honest rendition of a disturbingly real-life event, with dialogue that feels genuine rather than the paint-by-numbers dross that has become the norm in Hollywood over the past ten years.

Unfortunately, I doubt that this film will ever receive the 'box office' respect that its effort deserves... so, enjoy it while it's still out there...

I can't get over all the movies lately where the music is so loud. This movie the music is louder than the people talking as though it's some kind of musical and the dialogue isn't important! It's a historical account, can the music already! I read the information about the movie on Wikipedia. I was really hoping to get an accurate depiction of the course of events. Once again, though, the music is too loud! Why do the movies always have to do that? I would have given this movie a better review except for that major distraction. It's quite sad about this history of this town and how tempers flare.

If you are willing to overlook the 'Cellphone Camera' cinematography and the some what harsh lighting and editing, this film does stand tall in script, the Actors give both an honest and respectful truth to the disturbingly real life event script with a dialog that stands out as actually human, rather than the cut and paste dross one has come to expect over the past decade of paint by numbers Hollywood ... sadly I doubt this film will ever get the 'box office' respect it deserves in terms of effort made as there are no Marvel Superheros in the real world, only true tales seasoned by the likes of Truman Capote, Cormac McCarthy and as it now seems, Daniel Bielinski and Co.

Direction, character design, and overall performances were solid.

The villain stood out with a commendable performance, and I genuinely wished the film had placed greater emphasis on his role especially his dialogue and confrontation scenes with the protagonist.

The direction, music, and visual design were also strong, and the plot itself felt grounded and believable.

However, the film lacked soul and emotional depth from the supporting cast. It also suffered from a lack of dynamic secondary characters that could have added variety and complexity.

Ultimately, I feel disappointed, as this was a missed opportunity to create something truly exceptional, given how many strong elements were already in place.

"End of the Rope," a film based on the true story of North Dakota's last lynching, had the potential to be a gripping historical drama. Unfortunately, its excessive length of 2 hours and 19 minutes ultimately undermines its impact.

The acting is decent, and the background music complements the story well. However, the pacing is sluggish, and the film could easily have been trimmed by 30 minutes or more without sacrificing any essential plot points.

A few anachronistic details, such as items not in use in 1931, detract from the historical accuracy. While these may seem minor, they disrupt the immersion for viewers who are familiar with the time period.

Overall, "End of the Rope" would have earned a 6 out of 10 rating if it were a tighter, more focused film. However, its excessive length significantly detracts from the viewing experience, ultimately earning it a 3 out of 10. The performances and music are commendable, but the film's pacing issues and unnecessary scenes make it a slog to watch.

Despite its flaws, "End of the Rope" still offers a glimpse into a dark chapter of American history. If you're a fan of historical dramas and don't mind a slower pace, it may be worth watching. However, if you're looking for a tightly edited and fast-paced film, you may want to look elsewhere.