Rust

There are 3 groups of people downvoting this movie:

• Political groups that despise Alec Baldwin
• People that think he should have abandoned it because of the death that occured while filing. Or thought Alec was responsible
• Some that maybe weren't expecting an old fashioned western

If you filter out those views, its a solid if imperfect yarn of a western.

We really enjoyed it for what it is - a small(ish) budget old school western that resembles movies from a different era.

The movie is not short on action, but spends a fair amount of time on scenery and character development.

I guess these days that's "too slow" for some.

A 13-year-old boy, forced to care for his younger brother after their parents' death, faces the noose for an accidental killing. His only hope - a hardened, estranged grandfather who spirits him away on a dangerous journey into new Mexico.

Director Joel Souza crafts tense, understated set pieces and character-driven exchanges, wisely letting his actors carry the film's emotional heft on the back drop for real locations and great sets.

Cinematographers Bianca Cline and Halyna Hutchins deliver outstanding work here, giving the film a crisp, high-budget sheen with sweeping vistas and intimate character moments that ground the drama. Like it or not, the heavy grim colour timing adds to the mood as the leads encounter a variety of characters on the way.

Alec Baldwin leads as dangerous Harland Rust, the grizzled outlaw, while Patrick Scott McDermott portrays Lucas Hollister. The young McDermott impresses with a grounded, emotionally resonant performance. Travis Fimmel delivers a menacing turn as bounty hunter Fenton "Preacher" Lang, and Josh Hopkins is notable in as U. S. Marshal Wood Helm. Frances Fisher adds depth as Lucas's grand-aunt, while Jake Busey also appears. Baldwin offers a solid performance as Rust, reminding viewers of his ability to inhabit morally grey characters with ease.

The acting across the board is first-rate, with the child actors particularly standing out for their naturalistic performances. Composers James Jackson and Lilie Bytheway-Hoy provide a restrained, evocative score that supports the film's mood without overplaying it.

From the outset, there's a clear emphasis on firearms, which feels a touch ironic given the tragic on-set death of Halyna Hutchins that shadowed this production. Yet, at its core, Rush is a Western - and guns, rifles, and frontier lawlessness remain intrinsic to the genre's DNA, whether or not the Second Amendment feels relevant today.

Overall, Rush may not rewrite the Western rulebook, but it delivers a well-crafted, visually striking entry into the genre - one that feels both classic and modern in its execution. It's a pity it landed straight to VOD.

Joel Souza's Rust, finally seeing release in 2025 after a tumultuous and tragic production, arrives with a weight of expectation and somber reflection. The film itself, a Western centered on an outlaw grandfather and his estranged grandson on the run, attempts to capture the rugged beauty and inherent dangers of the American frontier. Souza's direction leans into the stark landscapes and the simmering tensions between its characters, aiming for a raw and authentic portrayal of a harsh and unforgiving era. The narrative, while familiar in its Western tropes, seeks to explore themes of family, legacy, and the cyclical nature of violence against the backdrop of a dusty, unforgiving landscape.

Alec Baldwin, in the lead role, delivers a performance that is both weathered and weary, embodying the grizzled outlaw with a palpable sense of history and regret. His portrayal anchors the film, providing a focal point for the unfolding drama and the grandson's coming-of-age journey amidst perilous circumstances. The supporting cast, while perhaps overshadowed by the film's production context, contributes to the authenticity of the setting, populating the frontier with believable and often desperate individuals. The film's visual style emphasizes the natural environment, utilizing wide shots to capture the vastness and isolation of the setting, contrasted with close-ups that highlight the emotional toll on its characters.

However, it's impossible to divorce the viewing experience from the tragic on-set incident that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. This shadow inevitably hangs over the film, coloring every scene and performance with a layer of unintended poignancy. While Souza bravely returns to complete his vision, the film's artistic merits are constantly juxtaposed with the real-world tragedy that occurred during its making. This creates a complex and often uncomfortable viewing experience, where appreciation for the filmmaking is intertwined with a profound sense of loss and the ethical considerations surrounding its release.

Despite the inherent challenges, Rust as a film showcases moments of genuine cinematic merit. Souza's commitment to telling this particular story of familial bonds and survival in the Old West is evident in the film's pacing and atmosphere. There are sequences that effectively build tension and capture the brutality of the era. The performances, particularly Baldwin's, offer glimpses of the intended emotional depth. Yet, the pervasive awareness of the tragedy remains an undeniable element of the film's reception, shaping its legacy in ways that no artistic critique can fully address.

Ultimately, Rust is a film that exists in a complex space, its narrative achievements forever intertwined with the real-life tragedy that marred its production. While Joel Souza manages to deliver a Western with moments of compelling storytelling and strong performances, the film's release serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of filmmaking. It's a viewing experience that demands not only critical assessment but also a degree of somber reflection on the events that overshadowed its creation.

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.