Rust

Definitely worth the watch. Good acting, good story line, and it was all well done. I didn't find it slow at all. Captured our attention from the start, and the characters all made you sympathize with each of them in one way or another. They were all likeable, too. Would watch it again, and would recommend to anyone.

I get the politics around the release of the film, but this review is about the film, not any particular point of view.

If you don't agree with it being released, then don't watch it. But don't give it a poor rating because you don't agree with something that has nothing to do with the film itself.

Not watching this movie would be denying the work/art that Halyna Hutchins created and was her final legacy. I wanted to watch and see what she did as a female cinematographer. I had a feeling she would be very good and she did not disappoint. I like westerns for the scenery and horses. Halyna did many great sky scenes that were beautiful and reminded me of the cinematography in the movie Nomadland which was the first movie to highlight natural sky scenes. The Rust script wasn't bad and I found Harlan Rust's dialogue to be quite witty---many Rust-isms that were decent. There are many movies out recently that are a lot worse---especially the constant horror movies to satiate the younger crowd. This film is not for ADD, immature young people who want to act out during Minecraft or believe in vampires. If you loved Dances With Wolves, Yellowstone--it is like a good episode that won't win any awards but is still worth viewing.

This one's ratings are a victim of politics. That and limited attention spans.

This is a worth watching. Great scenery, fine acting, an engaging and memorable story.

Westerns aren't for everyone. I suppose what is slow to one person is called character building to another. The pacing is fine. Each scene adds a little more and builds momentum.

I don't want to talk about the politics and bad faith reviews, so I'm not. Nor do I think the reviews repeatedly calling it "slow" are fair. It's set in a time when the pace of life was different. When traveling from one place to the next took time, and the people you met along the way might be dangerous.

I can browse through a list of movies to watch and spot plenty of what isn't for me. I almost skipped this one because I assumed it was a bunch of Baldwin nonsense. But it's just fine. Heavier atmosphere, action on the more intense side of things, characters with character.

7.9/10.

I'm going to judge this movie based on its storytelling, acting, directing, and cinematography - not on what I think of Alec Baldwin as a person or the tragic incident onset.

Story: I think it was fine. It might not be the most compelling of story, but it was good enough for me - meaning it was engaging for the most part. There were some things that didn't make sense to me, but it's not a major gripe.

Acting: I liked everyone is this film. Even the kid(s) were ok. Shout out to Travis Fimmel - I'm glad he's getting better roles since the Viking series - Richard Gunn, and Francis Fisher. I felt that their portrayals were outstanding.

Directing: Also good, IMO. There weren't any fillers or wasted shots, I thought. The actions were quite good, as well - I knew where everyone was at all times and what was happening. As were the dialogues and the quieter moments.

Cinematography: Montana is simply beautiful. I wished there had been more wide vista shots, but it's a quibble. Generally, what we had were good and established well the period and locations.

Overall: 7.5.

This is a solid western, the story keeps you engaged and invested in the characters and where the story is going to lead them. The acting, costumes, sets, everything was superb. Where this falls short is the story, it keeps you entertained to the end but just falls short of being a classic you'd want to rewatch and discuss. I feel its lacking a twist or a callback to tie the story together, as is, its more a progression of events. Something like if the kids fancy rifle ended up moving through a few hands, perhaps when the bounty hunters fight each other the survivor claims it only to die in the next fight enforcing its 'curse', and then was used in a key moment at the end to save or kill the kid and he gets it back, or some other twist. It doesnt need to be big, just a little spice in an otherwise impressive film.