The Outsider (2002)

You might want to read the novel for the back story!

The ominious gun on the black dvd cover and the violent sounding description almost made me bypass this beguiling romance. However, I have become a fan of Naomi Watts so I decided to watch it figuring I could always eject it.

I have never seen the Angel and the Badman which I believe might have a similiar plot but I have viewed the Amish-themed Witness numerous times. The Outsider has much in common with Witness-a pastoral setting, a beautiful widow with a young son who develops feelings for a violence-prone outsider, the disapproval of the religious community over her actions, and the juxtaposition of forgiveness vs said violence.

Briefly, the plot centers around Rebecca Yoder (Watts), a sheep rancher's widow whose husband is murdered by a cattleman who wants their land and them gone. A gravely wounded "shootist" named Johnny Gault (Tim Daly) mysteriously stumbles onto her farm before collapsing. Mirroring Witness, Rebecca nurses him back to health to the disapproval of almost everyone.

However, the evil cattleman Hunter continues to harass and threaten not only the comely widow but the entire Plaom community so the shootist begins to take matters into his own hands. Gault also builds up a father-son relationship with Benjo, Rebecca's stuttering young son who begins to emulate Gault using a rather biblical sling-shot instead of a gun.

I was not familiar with very attractive Daly (which it made it more fun) but he nails his character perfectly and Watts is wonderful as usual and their chemistry is just great! The movie is beautifully filmed on location in New Zealand which passes nicely for Montana (ironically Australian Peter Weir came to the US to direct Witness).

In ways this movie was more satisfying to me than Witness since the protagonist falls deeply in love with a breathtakingly beautiful, self-described shootist of some repute (29 people according to the novel), gambler and a liar and then examines the ramifications of that love.

The movie was sufficiently compelling for me to read the Penelope Williamson's novel on which the movie is based. Overall the movie is better edited than the book which has way too many subplots.

However (and there are minor quibbles), I guess in the interest of movie length there some plot omissions that in my opinion would add richness to the story. First and foremost, the viewer never learns the circumstances that led up to Johnny Gault being severely wounded and stumbling up on the Yoder farm in the first place!

Secondly, I know that sheep and cattle don't mix but we never really understand the motivation of the juggernaut villian, Mr. Hunter, to drive out the Plain people.

Also the final shootout has been motified somewhat and I think that the novel is better in that regard as it gives a stronger character arc to the shootist.

This is two movies in one-a violent western and a charming romance-but it works really well.






June 28, 2008

Gunslinger meets Plain people

I was delighted with this movie. I would not have chosen this film if I had gone by the cover and description on the back. It was much more than advertised - not just about a gunslinger, but in fact, a study in character of what appears to be two opposite people and how a relationship develops between them. It had lots of surprises in it and was not totally predictable. It reminded me of "The Witness" with the slant towards Plain people. Yes, I enjoyed it as much as "The 3:10 to Yuma", but it is different in that it is not pure western, but more "settler" in it's format. Excellent acting and simply a wonderful movie. May 26, 2008

Romance at its best

If you are in the mood for a good romantic film, this is for you. Tim Daly is probably one of the most underrated, versatile actors around. No surprise, though; he comes from an illustrious acting family. He is one of my favorite actors, and I wish he would make more films to show how talented and versatile he is. The rebel in me attracts me to this film, as the lead characters are both rebels. And I'm a sucker for happy endings, especially with a handsome, diamond-in-the-rough hero. March 5, 2008

The Outsider

This is really good, clean and enjoyable. Tim Daly is really good in this one. February 29, 2008

I watched it last night and I loved it.

I read the book "The Outsider" by Penelope Williamson about a year ago. I loved it, but didn't realize a Showtime movie had been made until I got info from Amazon. I ordered the movie, but was afraid it wouldn't be any good. I wasn't sure that Tim Daly could pull off the leading role (having known him from the show "Wings," where he was hilarious, but not necessarily someone who could be a convincing gunslinger). Well he proved me wrong. The movie was GREAT... the scenery was breathtaking and the chemistry between the two main characters (Daly and Naomi Watts) was palpable... I would recommend this highly, especially for those who read and liked the book. January 14, 2008

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