Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kodi Smith-McPhee, Ben Mendelsohn
Slow West
Director: John M. Maclean
Rating: 4/5
John Maclean is set to make his feature film directorial debut this week with Western Slow West, which sees him reunite with actor Michael Fassbender; the pair have already worked on short films Pitch Black Heist and Man on a Motorcycle together.
Slow West follows the story of 16-year-old Jay Cavendish (Smit-McPhee) as he journeys across the American frontier at the end of the 19th century, in search of the woman he loves. Along the way, he is joined by Silas (Fassbender), a mysterious traveller with his own agenda, and is hotly pursued by an outlaw named Payne (Mendelsohn).
We don't see as many Western movies on the big screen as we once did... but every so often, a little gem comes along. And Slow West is the latest Western that is not to be missed. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and since then, the movie has been winning over critics and audiences.
Slow West is a terrific directorial debut from McLean - one of the best of the year so far - as he has created a Western that is violent, exciting, and packed with interesting and fascinating characters.
Of course, there are familiar Western elements such as eccentric characters and gunfights and yet MacLean has deliberately slowed the pace and given the film a melancholic undertone. I like the fact that MacLean has put his own stamp on this familiar genre and given us something a little different to what we are expecting.
Michael Fassbender is terrific as Silas and fits this genre like a glove like actors such as Clint Eastwood have done before him.
Fassbender is the perfect opposite to the innocence of Kodi Smith-McPhee's character and you never know where his motives truly lie. Fassbender is a favourite here at FemaleFirst, he is one of the most versatile actors of his generation, and it is great to see him turn his hand to yet another genre.
Kodi Smit-McPhee is one of the most exciting young actors around and he gives a great performance as the innocent lamb who is setting out into the Colorado frontier with no experience. Together, the innocence of Jay and the hardened experience of Silas prove to be a great and rather funny pairing.
Of course, we are use to seeing sweeping landscapes in Westerns and Slow West is no different. It is just a truly beautiful looking movie and the cinematography really does become a character in itself.
Slow West is an atmospheric movie that balances moments of quiet with explosions of violence and Maclean has balanced these two elements perfectly from start to finish.
The director steadily builds up to the bloody climax and it really is an unforgettable ending to what is a great film.
If you are looking for something other than a blockbuster this weekend, then Slow West is a film that is not to be missed. Not only is it stunning, it is packed with some great action, wonderful characters, and terrific performances. It's hard to believe that Slow West is the directorial debut for Maclean and I am exciting to see what he does next.
Slow West is out now.
Tagged in Michael Fassbender Kodi Smit-McPhee