Rust

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.

I have written an unpublished book about the accidental shooting of Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza on the New Mexico set of Rust. My book is about how accidents happen, not the movie. I am not a fan of Westerns nor low budget movies but I enjoyed Rust. Joel Souza surprised me with a well written movie, a depth of characters and morality that I did not expect. Wood Helm and Lucas Rust characters were well acted and Alec Baldwin never over shadowed his co-stars in a reserved portrayal of a broken man. I hope everyone pays to see Rust. Any proceeds go to Halyna Hutchins per an end of credits video. Halyna's death was a terrible accident caused by many foreseeable and unforeseeable events. Tragic if people feel it does not honor Ms. Hutchins going to see the movie.

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.

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.